- E or aboveNeeded to let a home
- £3,500Spending cap before an exemption
- C by 2030The government's planned new minimum
The rule: E or above
ABCDE
Can be let
FG
Can't be let without an exemption
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (often shortened to MEES) has applied to new tenancies since April 2018 and to all existing tenancies since April 2020. It covers most private lets: assured shorthold, assured and regulated tenancies, wherever the home needs an EPC.
What if the home is rated F or G?
You have two routes:
- Improve it to E. The certificate lists the improvements that would raise the rating, with typical costs. Loft insulation, heating controls and a modern boiler are often enough.
- Register an exemption if you can't. The main one applies when you've spent up to the £3,500 cap (including VAT) on the recommended improvements and the home is still below E. There are also exemptions for consent you can't get (from a tenant, freeholder or planners), work that would devalue the home, and a short one for new landlords. Most last five years.
Exemptions are registered on the government's PRS Exemptions Register, with evidence.
Is the minimum going up to C?
The government has announced plans to raise the minimum for private rentals to C by 2030. The details, including how ratings will be measured and the dates, can still change.
A current EPC tells you where each property stands and which improvements would get it to C, so you can plan the work rather than rush it. Check the landlord guidance on GOV.UK for the latest.
What you need before letting
- A valid EPC (under 10 years old) rated E or above, or a registered exemption.
- A copy given to the tenant, free of charge, before they sign.
- The rating shown in adverts and listings.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
The rules on this page are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own standards.
Questions
Do I need a new EPC for every new tenant?
No. An EPC lasts 10 years, so the same certificate covers every tenancy in that time, as long as it's rated E or above.
My EPC has expired but the tenant is staying. Do I need a new one?
Generally not until you next let the property to a new tenant. If you're unsure whether a renewal counts as a new tenancy, getting a fresh EPC is the safe option.