EPCs for Landlords - What You Need to Know in 2026.

If you are a landlord in Surrey, your Energy Performance Certificate is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a legal requirement, and the rules are tightening.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate rates the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). EPCs have been a legal requirement in England and Wales since 2008, and any property that is marketed for rent must have a valid, in-date certificate in place.

EPCs for landlords - What landlords are legally required to do?

The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties. Since April 2018, all new tenancies have required a minimum EPC rating of E or above, and since April 2020 this has applied to all existing tenancies. In plain terms: if your rental property is rated F or G, you cannot legally let it without a registered exemption.

Failing to comply carries real consequences. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to £5,000 per property, and in some cases enforcement by local authorities can go further, including o

What is changing, and when?

The landscape is shifting significantly. The government confirmed in January 2026 that it intends to raise the minimum EPC rating for private rented properties in England and Wales to band C, with all private tenancies required to meet this standard by 1 October 2030. The proposed penalty for non-compliance under the new regime is up to £30,000 per property, a substantial increase from the current maximum.

At the current rate that landlords are making energy efficiency improvements, it would take until 2042 for all rental homes to meet the new standards. That means landlords who act early will be in a far stronger position, both financially and legally, than those who wait. 

Any expenditure on energy efficiency improvements from 1st October 2025 counts toward the new £10,000 cost cap, so improvements made now are not wasted money, they are an investment that counts toward your future compliance obligations. 

Why act now?

Getting an EPC C before October 2029 under the current methodology locks in compliance for up to 10 years, protecting you from the more demanding assessment requirements due to come in under the new Home Energy Model framework. Waiting is a risk that simply is not worth taking.

At Bramptons and Son, we provide fast, reliable EPC assessments for landlords across Surrey and Greater London. Whether you have a single rental property or a portfolio, our local team can carry out your assessment efficiently and get you the certificate you need to stay compliant and keep your lettings on track.

Ready to book your EPC? Contact us today.