Updated July 2026. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set the lowest EPC rating at which you can legally let a property. The standard is about to tighten significantly, so every landlord needs a plan.
The current standard: EPC E
You cannot grant or continue a tenancy on a property with an EPC below band E unless you have registered a valid exemption. Under the current rules, exemptions apply where you have spent up to the cost cap (currently £3,500 including VAT) without reaching band E. Breaching MEES can lead to civil penalties.
The future standard: EPC C by 2030
The Government has confirmed the minimum will rise to EPC C, with compliance required by 1 October 2030. The cost cap rises to £10,000 per property (average spend estimated at around £5,400), with a 10-year exemption available if the standard can’t be met within the cap. New EPC metrics are due from October 2026.
What landlords should do now
- Check each property’s current EPC rating and band.
- Get a plan for the cheapest route to band C (insulation, heating, LED, draught-proofing).
- Budget improvements over the next few years rather than all at once.
- Keep evidence of spend in case you need to register an exemption.
Written by the Landlords Portal team. Sources: GOV.UK. General information, not legal advice.
