An EPC explained

Prior to moving into your newly rented home, you should receive certain documents. These documents will include things like your Gas Safety Certificate, EPC, EICR and much more. These documents will be issued to all tenants prior to moving in; however, not everyone knows their importance. This blog is going to highlight EPCs and what they actually mean for you as a tenant.

An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate. The certificate is issued by qualified assessors for rented properties to prove the energy efficiency of the property. There are many things that the assessor will look at to be able to accurately determine the certificate, such as:

• How new the building is
• The type of windows installed (double glazed or single glazed)
• The wall insulation
• The age of the boiler
• The type of heating system fitted

Once the assessor carefully inspects all of the required aspects, they will then issue a report called your EPC, which will be valid for the next 10 years.

EPCs are marked with a rating which determines the property's efficiency. The ratings sit between A and G. A rating of A means that the property is at the highest level of efficiency, whereas a rating of G will show that it is an extremely inefficient property. In 2026, the current legal minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for privately rented residential properties in England and Wales is band E under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. If a landlord hires an assessor and their property receives a rating lower than an E, it then becomes illegal for the landlord to rent the property to any new tenants, unless the landlord has an official exemption.

Reasons for exemption include:

• The "High Cost" exemption – A landlord is only required to spend up to £3,500, including VAT, of their own money to improve the efficiency of a property. If they need to spend more, they can claim this as an exemption.
• "All Improvements Made" exemption – When a landlord spends the required amount but the property still fails to meet an E.
• Third-party consent refused – When legally blocked by someone else.
• Wall insulation damage – When a qualified structural expert writes a report stating that installing it would physically damage the building's fabric or structure.
• Property devaluation – If the upgrades required devalue the property by more than 5%.
• "New Landlord" temporary exemption – When someone unexpectedly becomes a landlord. (6-month limit)

Why is an EPC rating important?

By increasing EPC ratings throughout the UK, the country will not only be closer to its net zero goal, but it will also help tenants understand just how much they could be spending on energy during their tenancy.

An EPC does not only show a rating, but it will also include an estimated cost for the energy used. That cost will be estimated based on the current energy efficiency; however, it will also show how much the energy could cost if the landlord were to improve the property.In addition to this, the certificate will also show the efficiency of individual aspects of the home. The EPC for any advertised property should be shown alongside the property's details. You will receive an EPC on the day that you become a tenant.

Additional reads:

Guide to inventories 

Useful tips for tenants