Private rented property standards guidance

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 

Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES Regulations) if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place. 

If you are currently planning to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G, you need to improve the property's rating to E, or register an exemption, before you let to a new tenant. 

If you are currently letting a property with an EPC rating of F or G, and you have not already taken action, you must improve the property's rating to E immediately or register an exemption.

If your property is currently empty, and you are not planning to let it, you do not need to take any action to improve its rating until you decide to let it again. 

The MEES Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties. The Regulations apply to all domestic private rented properties that are: 

• let on specific types of tenancy agreement 
  • an assured tenancy
  • a regulated tenancy
  • a domestic agricultural tenancy
• legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 
  • property has been marketed for sale or let, or modified, in the past 10 years then it will probably be legally required to have an EPC