The rules
- Private rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC band C by 1 October 2030, unless a valid exemption applies.
- A single deadline for all tenancies: the earlier proposal for 2028 for new tenancies was dropped.
- A cost cap of £10,000 per property, with exemptions valid for 10 years.
- Homes already rated C under the current rating can count as compliant until their certificate expires, for certificates issued before 1 October 2029.
- Short-term lets are outside the rules for now.
What landlords should do now
Check your current EPC, get advice on the cheapest route to band C (often insulation, heating controls or a heat pump), and look at the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Warm Homes Plan support. The government says low-interest loans will be available.
What renters can expect
Better-insulated homes should be cheaper to heat. Until then, tenants who pay their own energy bills can usually switch supplier and use our energy saving tips.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
