Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Last reviewed: 28 October 2026

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy-efficient a property is and what improvements could help reduce its energy use. You generally need one when you build, sell or rent out a property. Landlords in England and Wales must also meet minimum energy-efficiency standards before letting a home.

EPC rules are changing, with new assessment methods planned and higher standards confirmed for privately rented homes. This guide explains what EPCs show, how to improve your rating, what financial support may be available and what the changes mean for homeowners and landlords.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An EPC rates a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides information about the property's energy use and typical energy costs, alongside recommendations for improving efficiency and potentially reducing bills.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, unless a newer certificate is issued for the property.

Who needs an EPC?

In England and Wales, you generally need an EPC when a property is built, marketed for sale or offered for rent. The seller or landlord is normally responsible for arranging one, unless a valid EPC already exists.

Scotland has its own rules. An EPC is generally required when a property is sold or rented to a new tenant, and for newly constructed properties. Additional requirements apply to certain buildings, including some short-term lets.

The certificate must be made available to prospective buyers or tenants as required by the relevant rules. In Scotland, failing to obtain an EPC when required can result in a penalty of at least £500.

How can you get an EPC?

You will need an accredited energy assessor to assess the property and produce the certificate.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can use the relevant government guidance to find an accredited assessor. In Scotland, consult the Scottish Government's EPC guidance for information on finding an assessor.

What can you do to improve your EPC rating?

Your EPC includes recommendations tailored to your property. Common improvements include:

• Adding loft, roof or wall insulation.
• Installing energy-efficient lighting.
• Replacing an old boiler or upgrading to a more efficient heating system.
• Improving windows, such as replacing single glazing with double glazing.

Your certificate may include estimated costs, potential savings and the likely impact of each improvement. Use these recommendations as a starting point, and consider which measures are suitable for your home and budget.

Is financial help available to improve your EPC rating?

Several schemes may help with energy-efficiency improvements, depending on where you live, your household circumstances and the work required.

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Available in England and Wales, this scheme provides grants of £7,500 towards eligible air-to-water, ground-source and water-source heat pumps. Eligible off-gas-grid properties can receive £9,000 towards air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps until 31 March 2027. Grants of £5,000 are available for eligible biomass boilers, while air-to-air heat pumps qualify for £2,500. Eligibility conditions apply.
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO4): This scheme supports eligible households with energy-efficiency and heating improvements. It is scheduled to end on 31 December 2026.
• Warm Homes: Local Grant: In England, eligible low-income households living in privately owned properties with an EPC rating of D to G may qualify for energy-efficiency improvements through their local authority.

You can find out more in our guides to the Energy Company Obligation and energy grants and schemes.

Does an EPC have to be displayed in the property?

For most homes, there is no general requirement to display an EPC inside the property. 

In Scotland, an EPC must be displayed only in public buildings of 250 square metres or more and other non-domestic buildings over 500 square metres that the public visits at least weekly.

What is the minimum EPC rating for a rented property?

In England and Wales, most privately rented properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards must have an EPC rating of at least E, unless a valid exemption applies. Landlords who let a property below the required standard without an applicable exemption may face a financial penalty.

These are the current minimum standards. The government has also confirmed plans to raise energy-efficiency requirements for privately rented homes.

Will the minimum EPC rating for landlords rise to C?

Yes. The government has confirmed that privately rented homes in England and Wales will need to meet a higher energy-efficiency standard by 1 October 2030, unless an exemption applies.

Under the announced policy, landlords will need to meet EPC band C across two metrics under the reformed system. Key points include:

• Spending cap: Landlords will generally be required to invest up to £10,000 per property in eligible improvements to meet the standard.
• Exemptions: Landlords may be able to register an exemption if a property cannot meet the standard despite the required investment, or if other exemption criteria apply.
• New rules: Legislation is expected to be introduced in 2027. The detailed requirements and exemptions should be checked against the latest government guidance before landlords commit to major work.

If you are a landlord, it may be worth reviewing your property's EPC and considering suitable improvements now. Better insulation and more efficient heating can help reduce energy use and make a home more comfortable for tenants.

Do you need a minimum EPC rating to sell your home?

No. You generally need a valid EPC to sell a property, but there is no minimum EPC rating required for a sale.

A better rating can help prospective buyers understand the property's energy efficiency and likely running costs. If a buyer intends to rent out the property, they should also consider the minimum energy-efficiency standards and future landlord requirements.

Which properties are exempt from needing an EPC?

Some buildings are exempt, but the rules vary across the UK. Examples of exemptions can include:

• Certain standalone buildings that are not dwellings and have a useful floor area of less than 50 square metres.
• Temporary buildings intended to be used for two years or less.
• Certain buildings with low energy demand, such as some non-residential agricultural buildings or workshops.
• Buildings due to be demolished, where the relevant conditions are met.

Places of worship and some listed or historic buildings may also qualify for exemptions in particular circumstances. However, a listed building is not automatically exempt in England and Wales: the relevant requirements depend on the property and whether energy-efficiency improvements would unacceptably alter its character.

Some holiday accommodation may also be exempt, depending on how it is used and let. If you are unsure, check the rules for your location or ask an accredited energy assessor or your local authority before marketing the property.

Are EPCs changing?

Yes. England and Wales and Scotland are introducing changes on different timelines.

• England and Wales: New-style domestic EPCs are planned for the second half of 2027. The reformed certificates will use new headline metrics to provide a broader picture of a property's energy performance.
• Scotland: New-style EPCs are planned from 30 April 2028, subject to the relevant parliamentary arrangements. Domestic certificates will show ratings for heat retention, the heating system and energy costs, and will have a five-year validity period rather than 10 years.

In Scotland, a transition period is planned to allow existing certificates to be used for certain sales and lets until 30 April 2029, subject to the rules and circumstances of the transaction.

If you already have an EPC, check the current rules for your part of the UK before arranging a replacement. You may not need a new certificate simply because the system is changing.

Improving your home's energy efficiency may help reduce energy use, but your tariff also affects what you pay. Compare energy deals with Switchcraft to explore available tariffs and see whether you could save on your bills.