Renters’ Rights Act, EPC Ratings & The Decent Homes Standard: What Landlords Need to Know
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
Significant changes are coming to the private rented sector. The upcoming Renters’ Rights Act and the extension of the Decent Homes Standard to privately rented properties will increase compliance requirements for landlords across England.
In the UK, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is legally required when a property is built, sold, or rented out. The rules mainly come from the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations and the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
The EPC rating is critical when it comes to rental properties. Many landlords are aware that change is coming, but fewer understand what practical steps they should be taking now to prepare. One of the first places every landlord should start is with their current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
What Is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property. It provides a rating from A to G, with:
A – Most energy efficient
G – Least energy efficient
The EPC also estimates the property’s running costs and provides recommendations for improvements that could increase the rating.
As a Landlord the first thing you should do is to check your current current EPC rating of your rental properties, you can do using this link UK Government EPC Register
This is important because EPC ratings directly affect whether a property can legally be rented.
If you are actively investing an EPC rating might play a pivotal role in whether you invest or might reflect your offer on a potential purchase if you know improvements will need to be made.
Current Minimum EPC Requirements
At present, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require rental properties to have a minimum EPC rating of E.
Properties rated F or G cannot legally be rented unless a valid exemption has been registered. Landlords whose properties fall below an E rating must carry out improvement works before letting the property.
Remember these minimum standards only apply to rented properties.
What Is Changing?
Government policy is moving toward increasing the minimum EPC requirement to Band C for rented properties.
When Is The Change Coming?
There has been talk about this for a very long time and the goal posts are continually moving. Landlords will still be expected to reach an EPC C on rental properties by October 2030.
How to Interpret an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
One you have obtained a copy of your EPC, you should have a look to interpret it. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides a snapshot of how energy efficient a property is and more importantly it gives guidance on how that efficiency can be improved to get it to the requisite rating. While most landlords are familiar with the A–G rating displayed on the front page, the certificate contains much more useful information that can help you understand what improvements may be required in the future.
What Improvements Might Be Required?
Improving a property’s EPC rating often involves upgrading insulation, heating systems, or energy efficiency measures.
Common works that improve EPC ratings include:
Installing loft insulation
Upgrading cavity wall insulation
Replacing older boilers with modern energy-efficient systems
Installing double or triple glazing
Adding smart heating controls
Switching to low-energy lighting
Improving hot water cylinder insulation
The good news is that your EPC certificate itself usually provides recommendations for improvements and estimates the impact those improvements will have on the rating.
Landlords should review these recommendations carefully, as they often provide a clear pathway to improving the property’s efficiency.
Some improvements will not be cheap, so with the EPC minimum standard set for 2030, its probably a good time to start looking at your EPC and budgeting accordingly.
A New EPC Will Be Required
Once improvements are completed, landlords will need to commission a new EPC assessment to confirm the updated energy rating.
This new certificate will be required as evidence that the property complies with the new minimum energy efficiency standards once they come into force.
Important: EPC Guidance Is Still Developing
One key point landlords should be aware of is that detailed government guidance has not yet been fully published.
There is also uncertainty around whether the EPC grading system itself may change as part of wider reforms, there has been talk of the framework being updated in late 2027.
This means that:
A property currently rated C may not necessarily remain a C under a revised system.
Changes to how EPCs are calculated could affect existing ratings.
In other words, a property that is compliant today could potentially fall into a lower band under a revised methodology.
For this reason, landlords should keep a close eye on further announcements from the UK Government and ensure they are planning ahead rather than reacting at the last minute.
Also an EPC lasts for 10 years so you might want to consider getting a renewed EPC before 2027 (on the current framework) which would renew your time clock to 2037 and give you a little more breathing space to do what you need to do to bring the property up to the requisite standard.
The Decent Homes Standard
Alongside EPC reforms, the Decent Homes Standard is expected to be extended to the private rented sector under the Renters’ Rights Act.
This will require properties to meet minimum standards relating to:
Property condition
Freedom from serious hazards
Adequate heating and insulation
Modern facilities and services
While these standards have historically applied mainly to social housing, extending them to the private sector will significantly increase expectations placed on landlords.
What Is The Decent Homes Standard and How Does That Differ to EPC’s?
The Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is a government standard used to determine whether a property is fit, safe, and in a reasonable state of repair.
It was originally introduced for social housing, but the government has indicated it will be extended to the private rented sector through the Renters' Rights Bill.
A property meets the Decent Homes Standard if it:
Meets the minimum legal health and safety requirements
(i.e., no serious hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System).Is in a reasonable state of repair
Major components such as roofs, windows, heating systems, and electrics should not be excessively old or failing.Has reasonably modern facilities and services
For example:reasonably modern kitchen
reasonably modern bathroom
adequate insulation
suitable layout and space.
4. Provides a reasonable level of thermal comfort - Meaning adequate heating and insulation.
Example of failing the Decent Homes Standard
A property might fail if it has:
serious damp or mould
unsafe electrics
extremely old kitchens or bathrooms
structural issues
inadequate heating.
When the Decent Homes Standard Will Apply to Private Landlords
The Decent Homes Standard is part of the later phase of reform.
Current government plans indicate that it will apply to private rented properties from around 2035 (with some proposals suggesting 2035–2037 depending on final consultation outcomes).
This standard already exists in social housing and will require private rented homes to meet minimum conditions relating to:
Property safety and structural condition
Adequate heating and insulation
Freedom from serious hazards (such as damp, mould, electrical risks, etc.)
Modern kitchen and bathroom facilities
Important: Many Details Are Still Being Developed
Although the headline dates are known, the exact standards and enforcement rules are still subject to consultation.
Areas where guidance is still evolving include:
How the Decent Homes Standard will be assessed
How local authorities will inspect and enforce compliance
The relationship between the Decent Homes Standard and EPC requirements
The exact implementation timetable
Because of this, landlords should treat the next few years as a preparation period rather than waiting until the final deadline.
What This Means for Landlords
For landlords, the direction of travel is clear: regulation is increasing and documentation will matter more than ever.
In practical terms, this means:
Reviewing the EPC rating of your property now
Planning potential improvement works early
Budgeting for energy efficiency upgrades
Keeping clear records of compliance
Waiting until regulations are formally implemented may leave landlords facing time pressure, contractor shortages, and increased costs.
What should you do now….
The Renters’ Rights Act and future EPC reforms represent another regulatory shift in the private rented sector.
While final guidance is still emerging, landlords who start reviewing their properties now will be in a far stronger position when these changes come into force.
If you are unsure about your property’s current EPC rating or what improvements may be required, the first step is simple: check your EPC certificate on the Government register and review the recommendations provided.
Understanding where your property stands today is the best way to prepare for tomorrow’s compliance requirements.