If you're a landlord, you need to be aware of government energy efficiency standards and what this could mean for the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of any property you rent out now or in the future.
Rental properties in England and Wales have required an Energy Performance Certificate rating since 2008. After consultations and changes, the latest Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for England and Wales mean that:
- All existing rental properties must be rated at C or above by 2028.
- Newly rented properties will need an EPC rating of C or above by 2025.
- In Scotland, all rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of D by 31st March 2025.
There are some exemptions, such as places of worship or buildings that are listed or protected and not suited to upgrade measures. In most cases, the minimum standards will need to be met and there are penalties for failing to do so.
You can check your property's EPC rating on the government EPC register. Or learn more in our EPC certificate guide.
