EPC Regulations For Landlords in 2025: Staying Up To Date

EPCs and MEES are at the heart of letting compliance and planning ahead protects your investment. With consistently changing, EPC regulations for landlords (2025) preparation and staying ahead is crucial. Whether landlords manage a single buy-to-let property, or an extensive portfolio: understanding the latest EPC regulations is now critical. Not just from compliance perspective, but attracting and retaining tenants.

Why The EPC Regulations Matter for Landlords - 2025

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are more than just a legal requirement when letting a property. They also form the foundation of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), which set the minimum energy rating that rented homes must achieve. 

1. Legal Compliance 

Failing to meet EPC requirements can result in fines of up to £5,000, restrictions on legally letting the property, and potential mortgage complications, as some lenders require a recent EPC. The precise penalty amount depends on WHICH regulation is breached.

2. Future-Proofing 

With stricter regulations approaching, upgrading your property now can help increase its value, reduce void periods, and qualify for green finance products.

3. The Legal Minimum: Band E 

Since April 2020, all privately rented domestic properties in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of Band E or better. Properties with an F or G rating cannot legally be let, unless an exemption is registered. Fines of up to £5,000 per property can be issued for breaches. EPCs last 10 years, but must be renewed before marketing or letting once expired. 

Properties That Don’t Need an EPC 

Not every building requires an EPC and if no EPC is required, MEES does not apply. Examples include: 

 

Registering Your EPC exemption 

If your property falls under one of the categories above, and does not require an EPC, this will need to be registered. Especially important for landlords. This is now relative to the minimum energy efficiency standard.

Exemptions: When Band E Isn't Possible

If you can’t reach Band E, you may qualify for an exemption — but these must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register with evidence. Exemptions last 5 years (6 months for new landlords). 

Common exemptions include: 

• High cost: cheapest recommended measure exceeds £3,500 (inc. VAT). 

• All improvements made: you’ve done everything possible but the property still falls below E. 

• Consent exemption: a tenant, freeholder, lender or planning authority refuses consent. 

• Wall insulation exemption: expert advice shows cavity, internal or external wall insulation is unsuitable. 

• Devaluation exemption: a RICS surveyor confirms works would reduce property value by 5%+. 

• New landlord exemption: temporary relief in certain circumstances (e.g., inheritance). 

Easy Wins to Improve an EPC Rating 

The EPC recommendation report suggests tailored improvements, but common “quick wins” include: 

• Hot water cylinder insulation jackets – low cost, strong savings. 

• Low-energy lighting – swapping to LEDs. 

• Draught-proofing – simple but effective. 

• Loft insulation top-ups – one of the most cost-effective measures. 

• Cavity wall insulation (where suitable). 

• Smart heating controls. 

• Solar panels or solar hot water. 

Funding Routes for Landlords 

Several schemes can help cover or offset the cost of improvements: 

• ECO4 – measures for eligible tenants (e.g., low income, LA Flex schemes). 

• Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) – support for a single key insulation measure, available to landlords as well as homeowners/tenants. 

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – grants of up to £7,500 for heat pumps 

• Local authority grants – some councils run targeted programmes for the private rented sector. 

• Green finance products – lenders increasingly offer favourable rates for more efficient homes. 

MEES Compliance Checklist 

Step 1: Do you have a valid EPC? (Check expiry — valid for 10 years). 
Step 2: Is the rating Band E or better? 
Step 3: If F/G, have you improved or registered a valid exemption? 
Step 4: Have you kept evidence (quotes, reports, photos, EPCs)? 
Step 5: Have you explored available funding routes? 
Step 6: Are you planning for future standards (likely Band C by 2028–2030)? 

 If you answered “no” to any step, action is needed to stay compliant. 

Current Legal Standards 

As of April 2020 landlords in England and Wales must ensure that all rental properties meet at least an EPC Band E rating. This applies to both new and existing tenancies  If a local authority confirms that a property is (or has been) let in breach of the Regulations, they may serve a financial penalty up to 18 months after the breach and/or publish details of the breach for at least 12 months.  Local authorities can decide on the level of the penalty, up to maximum limits set by the Regulations. The maximum penalties amounts apply per property and per breach of the Regulations.  

They are: 

• up to £2,000 and/or publication penalty for renting out a non-compliant property for less than 3 months 

• up to £4,000 and/or publication penalty for renting out a non-compliant property for 3 months or more 

• up to £1,000 and/or publication for providing false or misleading information on the PRS Exemptions Register 

• up to £2,000 and/or publication for failure to comply with a compliance notice 

Bearing in mind, the maximum amount you can be fined per property is £5,000 in total. Certificates expire after 10 years, so timely renewal is key. It is also important to note these are NOT EXACT threshold brackets, but there about. Exact figures may vary by local authority.

The figures above are approximates.

Looking Ahead 

The government stepped back from enforcing Band C by 2025, but the direction is clear: improving energy performance in the rental sector remains a priority. Proposals could see: 

• Band C required for new tenancies by 2028. (Finalisation of the year may shift, as noted as early as 2026 in some online sources)

• All tenancies to meet Band C by 2030. 

• A new, more accurate EPC system focusing on building fabric and heating performance. 

Early action means less disruption later, better tenant appeal, and stronger long-term value. Changes are YET to be implemented, but definitely worth consideration.

Possible Future Changes to EPC Rules 

Although the UK government scrapped the original 2025 deadline for rental properties to meet EPC Band C, the ambition to improve energy efficiency in the private rented sector remains firmly on the agenda. New proposals under the Warm Homes Plan looks to phase in EPC C requirements gradually, with new tenancies required to comply by 2028, expanding to ALL tenancies by 2030. However the precise dates may shift, with some sources uggesting slightly different dates (2026).

In support of landlords, the government have proposed a cost cap of £15,000 per property, with further possible lower exemptions. It is important to note these changes are YET to be implemented. However, consultations by the government suggests future implementation, hence Cyd innovation has presented this guide in preparation.  

It is important to note, the EPC Band C requirements are currently proposals, or drafted changes which are still under consultation. However, we do believe they are definitely still worth consideration to stay ahead of possible new EPC regulation changes, for landlords, in 2025.

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