2018 EPC Regulation Changes

After lots of uncertainty and speculation, the changes to EPC regulations in England and Wales have been finalised by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

From 1st April 2018, it will become illegal for properties within the private rented sector to have an EPC rating below ‘E’. The regulations will apply to all new tenancies and renewals commencing on or after 1st April 2018, in properties where an EPC is legally required. Properties with an EPC rating of F or G will need to carry out energy efficiency improvements prior to the tenancy commencing, unless the landlord qualifies for an exemption and this is registered on the Public Exemptions register.

In addition to this, all properties (including long term, periodic tenancies) will need to adhere to the minimum efficiency rating as of 1st April 2020.

If a landlord has obtained a voluntary EPC but is not legally required to do so, they will not be required to meet the minimum efficiency standard. A voluntary EPC can be registered on the official EPC database, but this is also not compulsory. If a voluntary EPC has been registered in this way then it will override any previous EPC which may have existed for the property, although the landlord will not legally need to honour the minimum standard.

There are various types of property which do not need to provide an EPC, these include:

Listed building

Temporary buildings

Residential buildings which are in use for less than 4 months of the year

Stand-alone buildings with a total usable floor area of less than 50 square meters

Funding options are being made available by central and local government, although this does depend on the area. Landlords are encouraged to contact the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS) for more information.