EPC C by 2030: What the Proposed Minimum Standard Means for Homeowners and Landlords

The current rule

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations, most rental properties in England and Wales must currently have an EPC rating of E or higher to be lawfully let. Properties rated F or G cannot normally be let without a registered exemption, and landlords face fines of up to £5,000 per property for non-compliance.

This rule has been in force since 2018 for new tenancies and since 2020 for existing tenancies, and around 60% of properties in the rental sector currently meet the E threshold without any work.

The proposed change

Successive governments have consulted on raising the minimum standard from E to C. The proposal would require:

• All new rental tenancies to be in properties rated EPC C or above from 2028
• All existing rental tenancies to be in properties rated EPC C or above from 2030

If implemented, this would bring around 60% of the current English rental stock below the standard, requiring landlords to either upgrade their properties or remove them from the market.

The proposal has been consulted on multiple times since 2020 but has not yet been enacted in law. Successive governments have committed to it, paused it, and recommitted to it. As of 2026, no legislation has passed, but the direction of travel is clear and most landlords are planning on the assumption that some form of higher minimum standard will arrive in the late 2020s.

What it would cost

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) estimates the average cost of upgrading a D rated property to C is £6,000 to £8,000, although the figure varies enormously depending on the starting point, property type, and existing measures. A pre-1900 solid-wall house can require £20,000 or more in insulation work to reach C, while a modern flat might need only loft insulation and an LED lighting upgrade.

The proposed cap on landlord spending has varied between £10,000 and £15,000 in different consultation rounds. Landlords would qualify for a registered exemption once they had spent up to the cap and could not reach C.

How to find your EPC rating

The starting point is your current EPC rating. Every EPC certificate is held in the EPC Register, which is the official government database, and Property Passport UK pulls EPC data directly from the register for every property in England and Wales. Search your address on Property Passport UK at [/search](/search) to see the current rating, the date of the most recent assessment, the potential rating if all recommended improvements were made, and the gap between current and potential.

If your property has no EPC on file, you will need a new assessment from an accredited assessor. EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of inspection.

What to do now

If you own a rental property:

1. Check the current EPC rating

2. Read the recommended improvements section of the EPC report

3. Get quotes for the highest-impact measures (loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, heating controls)

4. Plan the work over the next few years rather than waiting until 2029 when contractor demand will be at its peak

If you own your own home, the rules do not apply to owner-occupied property, but a higher EPC rating still affects mortgageability, insurance, future sale price, and the cost of heating your home. The same checks are worth doing.

Check your EPC on Property Passport UK

Property Passport UK shows the official EPC rating for every property in England and Wales, sourced directly from the EPC Register. You can look up any address at [propertypassport.uk/epc](/epc), or search by postcode at [/search](/search) to see the rating, expiry date, recommended improvements, and the gap between current and potential efficiency.

Related guides

• EPC C rating by 2030 explained
• MEES regulations landlord guide
• Cost of going from D to C on an EPC
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme explained