Energy efficiency
EPC C by October 2030: What Landlords Need to Know
Today a rented home in England needs an EPC rated E or better. In January 2026 the government confirmed that the minimum will rise to C for all private tenancies from 1 October 2030, with a cap on what any landlord has to spend.
The rules now
- You need a valid EPC before you market a property to let, and you must give tenants a copy.
- An EPC is valid for 10 years.
- The property must be rated E or above unless a valid exemption is registered. Letting below E can bring a penalty of up to £5,000.
What is changing in 2030
| Now | From 1 October 2030 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum rating | E | C |
| Applies to | All tenancies | All tenancies (no separate earlier date for new lets) |
| Spending cap | £3,500 | £10,000 per property |
- The cost cap. If you have spent £10,000 on qualifying improvements and still cannot reach C, you can register an exemption, which lasts 10 years. For homes worth under £100,000 the cap is lower, at 10% of the property's value.
- Existing C ratings count. A property rated C or above on an EPC issued before 1 October 2029 is treated as compliant until that EPC expires.
- EPCs are being reformed. New-style certificates will report on the building fabric, the heating system and smart readiness as well as running costs. A property's rating may move when it is next assessed.
The final regulations are still to come
The dates and cap above are the government's confirmed policy from its January 2026 consultation response. The regulations themselves have not been laid yet, so check for changes before committing to major work.
How to plan
- Check your current rating on the government's EPC register, and note when each certificate expires.
- Read the recommendations on the certificate. Loft and cavity wall insulation, heating controls and LED lighting are often the cheapest points.
- Get a fresh assessment before spending if the EPC is old. Ratings move with methodology changes, and you want to know where you actually stand.
- Spread the work over the next few years, ideally between tenancies, rather than competing for installers in 2029 and 2030.
- Keep receipts. If you rely on the £10,000 cap, you will need to evidence the spend.
The EPC is one of the certificates the PRS Database will ask for, along with any exemption.
General information for landlords in England, not legal advice. Figures are maximums; councils decide penalties case by case. Check GOV.UK or a solicitor for your situation.