A Landlord's Guide to EPC Regulations

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a legal requirement for rental properties in England and Wales. With regulations tightening, landlords must understand their obligations to avoid penalties and plan for the future.

An EPC rates a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It shows:

• Current energy rating
• Potential rating if improvements are made
• Estimated energy costs
• Recommended improvements

EPCs are valid for 10 years and must be provided to tenants before they move in.

Since April 2020, all rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E before being let to new or existing tenants.

Letting a property with an F or G rating is illegal unless you have a valid exemption. Fines range from £5,000 to £30,000.

The government has signalled that the minimum EPC requirement for rental properties will rise to C by 2030 for new tenancies, with existing tenancies following shortly after.

This means landlords should start planning improvements now, especially if your property currently sits at D or E.

Quick wins (often move you up 1–2 bands):

• Loft insulation (£300–£600) — Often the single biggest improvement
• Cavity wall insulation (£500–£1,500) — If your property has unfilled cavities
• LED lighting throughout (£50–£150) — Simple but adds points
• Smart thermostat (£150–£300) — Demonstrates heating control
• Draught-proofing (£100–£300) — Windows, doors, letterboxes

Bigger investments:

• Double glazing (£3,000–£8,000) — Significant improvement for older properties
• Boiler upgrade (£2,000–£4,000) — Modern condensing boilers are much more efficient
• External wall insulation (£5,000–£15,000) — For solid-wall properties
• Heat pump (£8,000–£15,000) — Government grants available via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

You may qualify for an exemption if:

• Improvements would cost more than £3,500 (inc. VAT) and wouldn't reach E
• The property is listed or in a conservation area where changes aren't permitted
• An independent surveyor confirms improvements would damage the property
• You've made all improvements up to the £3,500 cap

Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and last 5 years.

• Renting with an invalid EPC: Up to £5,000
• Renting below minimum standard: Up to £30,000
• Not providing EPC to tenant: Up to £200

Local authorities are responsible for enforcement, and penalties are published on a public register.

Many properties in Leicester's older terraced streets (LE2, LE3, LE5) are solid-wall Victorian or Edwardian homes that can be harder to insulate. However:

• Leicester City Council occasionally runs insulation grant schemes
• The East Midlands has several ECO-funded installers
• Properties near universities benefit from energy improvements through higher tenant satisfaction

EPCs must be carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. Costs are typically £60–£120. We can arrange this for properties managed by Haus Estates.

Don't wait for the 2030 deadline. Properties with better EPC ratings:

• Command higher rents
• Attract better tenants
• Have lower void periods
• Are easier to sell if you decide to exit

Need advice? Haus Estates helps landlords across Leicester and Loughborough navigate EPC compliance. Contact us for a free landlord consultation.