Energy is a limited resource which needs to be used responsibly to reduce its waste and carbon emissions. To ensure efficient use of energy in all homes and commercial properties, the UK government introduced an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as a landlord and tenant law in the UK in 2007. This certificate is issued after a complete assessment of all the factors, from systems installed to insulation, to precisely calculate the energy efficiency of the property, which is then reflected on the certificate in the form of a grade from scale A (best) to G (worst).
Since then, the EPC requirements have seen some major changes. Yet again in 2026, it is expected to go through several revisions in the minimum required score, exemptions, process of calculation and enforcement, which we will discuss in this blog, to help you understand this essential part of landlord and tenant law in the UK.
Why EPC Requirements & Process Are Expected to Change in 2026?
First, it is important to understand why these changes are going to happen in the first place:
- More Precise & Accurate Assessments
Current EPCs don’t exactly reflect energy efficiency; therefore, to fight this flaw, future updates aim to use more detailed assessments and clearer metrics to produce results that better match actual energy use for precise calculations.
- Focus on Practical Improvements
Rather than ticking boxes, new requirements are likely to highlight upgrades that genuinely lower energy bills and ensure efficient use of energy, such as insulation, heating efficiency, and heat retention.
- Environmental Factors and Considerations
As climate change accelerates, the risks are becoming harder to ignore. Therefore, the future EPC regulations and enforcement are going to be more focused on ensuring minimum energy use, to decrease emissions and waste of energy. This is a crucial step towards preventing environmental damage.
What is Going to Change in EPC in 2026?
As EPC rules evolve, awareness of their impact under landlord and tenant law in the UK is essential to remain compliant and plan ahead.
- Decrease in Validity Period of Certificate
EPCs are expected to be valid for just five years instead of ten. Energy efficiency can change a lot over a decade, and properties might need upgrades to maintain their rating. Shortening the validity makes sure the EPC grade reflects the building’s current performance and stays above the minimum standard.
2. Increase in Fines
The fines for not having a valid EPC or failing to meet minimum standards could now be up to £30,000. This change is meant to encourage landlords to take energy efficiency more seriously.
3. Introduction of the Cost Cap
The government is also proposing a cost cap of £15,000 per property. Any cost that will be made in updates to improve energy efficiency after the introduction of new rules in 2026 will be eligible expenditure to be calculated for this cap. However, any expenditure made for updates before that will not be considered valid for the cap.
4. Affordability Exemption
The new rules for EPC are expected to include an affordability exemption next year, for which the cap might close on £10,000.
5. Change In Rules for Listed Buildings
Listed buildings, which were previously exempt, will now require an EPC if they’re let out or converted into offices or flats.
6. Minimum Requirement
Over the next few years, the bar for energy efficiency in homes is expected to rise. By around 2030, residential properties will likely need an EPC rating of at least C. Which means properties will have better energy efficiency and lower bills towards the end of the decade.
7. New Metrics for Commercial EPCs
Historically, commercial EPCs looked almost exclusively at carbon emissions, leaving out other important aspects of energy use. The new rules will expand the assessment to cover energy bills, the quality of the building fabric, heating efficiency, and how prepared the property is for smart energy systems.
8. Additional Exemptions
In the upcoming EPC changes for landlord and tenant law in the UK, new exemptions may apply to some specific situations, like:
- For a new landlord with tenants already in place, who can’t carry out the required updates.
- If consent for improvements is refused by the freeholder or tenants.
- If a surveyor confirms that the work would significantly reduce the property’s value.
If you do not have a valid EPC, it might be the best time to get one, before compliance gets tighter, penalties are much higher, and updates are much more costly. If you want to know more about EPC requirements as landlord and tenant law in the UK, then contact us today!
How to Get Your EPC?
Our EPC services are delivered by fully accredited and professionally trained surveyors you can trust. We offer quick appointments, efficient assessments, and fast turnaround on your EPC certificate, helping you stay compliant without delays.
Schedule a visit with EPC Yorkshire surveyors today!