Government Postpones EPC Reform to 2027

The UK government has announced that reforms to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system will not be introduced until late 2027. This decision follows consultation and engagement with industry stakeholders, including landlords and letting agents, who have a vested interest in the EPC framework.

Currently, EPCs provide a single overall energy efficiency band for properties, which forms the basis of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Under MEES, rented properties must meet at least an EPC rating of E to be legally let. The planned reforms aimed to redesign EPCs to present multiple headline performance metrics rather than a single band.

Proposed Changes to EPC Indicators

The consultation proposed that EPCs would include several separate indicators covering:

• Energy costs
• Thermal efficiency of the building fabric
• Heating system performance
• Support for smart energy technologies

Officials believe that this multi-indicator approach would provide landlords and tenants with clearer, more detailed information about a building’s energy performance and highlight specific areas for improvement.

Structural Shift in EPC Framework

Introducing multiple performance indicators would represent a significant structural change to the EPC framework currently used in housing regulation. The government is also planning for rented homes to achieve an EPC rating of C by the end of the decade, signalling a tightening of energy efficiency requirements.

Alongside redesigning the EPC format, the government is reviewing the reliability of EPC assessments. Proposals include strengthening the oversight of EPC assessors and revising the calculation methods used in certification to improve accuracy and consistency.

Data Access and Validity Period Considerations

The government is also considering changes to how EPC data is accessed. Expanding availability of building performance data could support lenders offering green mortgage products and assist retrofit programmes by providing better information on property energy efficiency.

While the consultation examined a proposal to reduce the current 10-year validity period of EPCs, no final decision has been made on this matter.

What This Means for Landlords

For UK landlords, the delay in implementing EPC reforms means that current EPC standards and certification processes remain in place until at least late 2027. However, landlords should prepare for upcoming changes that will require more detailed energy performance information and potentially higher minimum standards.

Improved EPC accuracy and expanded data access could also influence decisions around property improvements and financing options, particularly as green mortgages become more common.

Further details on the timing and specifics of these reforms will be published as government policy development continues.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
• rented homes EPC requirements
• energy efficiency improvements
• green mortgage products
• EPC assessment reliability
• property retrofit programmes
• landlord EPC responsibilities
• energy costs in rental properties
• thermal efficiency of buildings

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/