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The Energy Performance Certificate gets less attention than the gas safety certificate, but it's one of the most consequential compliance documents a UK landlord holds. An expired or below-standard EPC doesn't just tick a box — it can legally prevent you from letting your property at all.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It's produced by a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) following a survey of the property's insulation, heating system, windows, and energy use.
EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)
The key regulation governing EPCs in rental properties is the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 — commonly called the MEES regulations.
Under MEES:
- All new tenancies in England and Wales since 1 April 2018 must have a minimum EPC rating of E
- From 1 April 2020, this extended to all existing tenancies — not just new ones
- Properties rated F or G cannot legally be let
Scotland has parallel regulations under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, with phased implementation and a minimum EPC E requirement.
Does MEES apply to short-let?
Yes. The common misconception is that because short-let tenancies are short, MEES doesn't apply. It does.
The regulations apply to any property let under a "domestic private rented property" definition, which includes short-let and holiday let properties where they're rented as a person's temporary home.
If you're on Airbnb, you need a valid EPC at minimum E rating.
What if my property is rated F or G?
You cannot legally re-let until you improve the energy performance to at least E. This typically involves one or more of:
- Improving loft or cavity wall insulation
- Upgrading the boiler or heating controls
- Installing double glazing (if currently single)
- Fitting energy-efficient lighting throughout
The government offers various grants and schemes (Great British Insulation Scheme, ECO4) that may cover some or all of this cost for eligible properties. Contact your local authority or check gov.uk.
Exemptions
There are narrow exemptions to MEES, including:
- Where all relevant energy efficiency improvements have been made and the property still doesn't reach E
- Where the improvements would devalue the property by 5% or more (valuations required as evidence)
- Certain listed buildings where improvements would damage the character
Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register — they are not automatic.
What's the fine for letting a sub-standard property?
Local authorities can impose penalties of up to £5,000 for letting an F or G rated property, and up to £150,000 in certain cases of serious or repeated non-compliance.
EPC renewal: don't let 10 years catch you out
Because EPCs are valid for 10 years, they're easy to forget. If you got your EPC in 2014, it expired in 2024 — and you may have been letting your property on an expired certificate without realising it.
Sorted BNB tracks your EPC expiry date alongside every other compliance certificate. Enter the issue date once, and the system does the counting for you.
Alexander
Alexander manages a small portfolio of UK short-term rentals and built Sorted BNB to solve the operational chaos he ran into himself. He writes about cleaning standards, scaling, and what it actually takes to run STR properly in the UK.
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