When does the EPC band C 2030 rule kick in for landlords?
Checked on 2 October 2026 · Source: GOV.UK: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes (government response, January 2026)
From 1 October 2030, every privately rented home in England and Wales will need an EPC of band C or above, for new and existing tenancies alike. The government confirmed this in its response of January 2026, replacing the earlier idea of new tenancies first and existing tenancies later. The regulations are expected in 2027.
The main points:
- Cost cap: a landlord won't have to spend more than £10,000 a property (over ten years) on improvements; where that has been spent and the home is still below C, an exemption can be registered.
- EPCs already at C: an EPC of C or above under the current rating, obtained before 1 October 2029, counts as compliant until it expires.
- New measures: the reformed EPC rates fabric performance plus either the heating system or smart readiness, and compliance will be judged on those.
- Penalties: up to £30,000 a property per breach.
Rented commercial property is separate: band E today, and any rise for non-domestic property has not been confirmed.
What landlords and letting agents should do now:
- Audit the portfolio: pull the EPC for every let or to-let property and group by band. Anything at D or below needs a route to C.
- Where works lift a home to C, consider a new EPC before 1 October 2029, so the C rating under today's method carries the property until that EPC expires.
- Cost the upgrades against the £10,000 cap and keep the invoices.
- Register any exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register with evidence; an unregistered exemption is no defence.
Certaby's MEES check returns the current band, the verdict today and when the 2030 rule changes it, the cheapest sensible upgrade path and a payback estimate using the EPC's cost-of-improvement figures. Run it free at /tools/mees-payback, or as part of the property risk pack in a Letting transaction.
Last updated 2 October 2026.