Landlords and agents
The rules as they stand, what is coming, and how we work with portfolios and branches.
Landlords
Two sets of rules matter: the ones in force today and the ones the government has said it will bring in for 2030.
The rules now
- A privately rented home in England and Wales must be rated E or better before it is let. This has applied to all tenancies since 1 April 2020.
- Landlords are not required to spend more than £3,500 including VAT on improvements to reach E.
- A property that still cannot reach E can be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register, normally for five years.
- Councils can fine up to £5,000 in total per property for breaches.
Source: gov.uk landlord guidance, last updated 5 May 2026.
What the government has said it will do
Confirmed in the government response of 21 January 2026. Not yet law; the dates and figures are the stated plan.
- Minimum standard rises to EPC C or the equivalent by 1 October 2030, for all private tenancies.
- Compliance measured on the new certificate metrics: fabric performance first, then either heating system or smart readiness.
- Spending cap rises to £10,000 per property. A property that still falls short after that can register a ten-year exemption.
- Maximum penalty rises to £30,000 per property per breach.
- The government aims to bring the regulations into force during 2027.
Source: government response on gov.uk.
How we work with landlords
- Around your tenants
We book the visit for a time that suits the tenant, and a key holder can let us in.
- Portfolio pricing
Landlords and agents with several properties: message us for a price. Several properties on the same day cost less per certificate.
- Keys and access
We collect and return keys from your agent or your office and follow their sign-out process.
- Invoiced monthly
Account customers pay on invoice within 14 days, with certificate numbers listed for your records.
Landlord questions
Can you assess a tenanted property?
Yes. We arrange the visit at a time that suits the tenant, and they or a key holder can let the assessor in.
The photographs taken during the visit are of the building and its heating system, for auditing by our accreditation scheme. They do not include people or personal belongings, and they are not published.
What are the EPC rules for rented properties?
In England and Wales a privately rented home currently needs an EPC rating of E or better before it can be let, and that has applied to all tenancies since April 2020. Landlords are not required to spend more than £3,500 including VAT on improvements to get there, and a property that still cannot reach E can be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Councils can fine up to £5,000 per property for breaches.
The government’s January 2026 response confirmed its intention to raise the standard to C or the equivalent by 1 October 2030, with a higher spending cap and higher penalties, under regulations it plans to bring in during 2027. Our Landlords and Agents page has the detail and the dates.
Do you offer trade accounts for agents and landlords?
Yes. Estate and letting agents, and landlords with several properties, can settle by invoice, arrange key collection through the office and have a named contact for the account. Tell us how many properties you look after and we will agree a price.
Estate and letting agents
Branches book with us because we turn up when we said, the certificate arrives with the number you need for the listing, and nobody has to chase an invoice.
Set up a trade accountWhat a trade account gets you
- A trade account with invoice payment, no deposit per booking
- Keys collected from and returned to your office
- One named contact who knows your stock and your process
- Block bookings across a street or a development at one agreed rate
- Certificates emailed to the branch and the vendor or landlord
- Certificate numbers quoted for your listings
Agent questions
Can you deal with my estate or letting agent?
Yes. Agents book with us regularly, arrange key collection and receive the certificate directly. If you would rather we spoke to your agent about access and timings, give us their details when you book and we will take it from there.
Do you offer trade accounts for agents and landlords?
Yes. Estate and letting agents, and landlords with several properties, can settle by invoice, arrange key collection through the office and have a named contact for the account. Tell us how many properties you look after and we will agree a price.
Book a single EPC, or talk to us about a portfolio
Online bookings take two minutes. For several properties, message us for a price.