EPC reform

EPC new metrics: the four headline scores

One score sits at the top of a home EPC today: the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). It uses running costs as its basis. Four headline scores will take its place, the government says in its partial response.

Two more scores will sit beneath them, covering energy demand and carbon. You can still compare old against new, because the certificate keeps the old EER for a while.

• energy cost: the running cost the home is likely to have
• fabric performance: how well the building holds its warmth
• heating system: gives credit to lower carbon heating, like a heat pump
• smart readiness: how well the home can work with smart, flexible technology

EPC changes 2026: what has been decided

January 2026 is when the partial response was added. For England and Wales, it set out these plans alongside the new scores.

• EPCs still run for 10 years, and the ones already issued keep those 10 years
• the valid EPC must be in place when the home goes on the market, not up to 28 days afterwards
• one room being let means the whole HMO (house in multiple occupation) needs an EPC
• Whoever pays the energy bills, a short-term let will need one.
• heritage buildings lose their exemption

EPC changes 2027: the new launch date

October 2026 was the government's first target. After talks with industry, the launch was pushed back to the second half of 2027 on 9 March 2026.

The Home Energy Model (HEM) will produce new EPCs. Homes are scored today with SAP (the Standard Assessment Procedure), which HEM replaces.

One headline score remains for business premises. As set out on commercial EPC, they keep the carbon-based Environmental Impact Rating.

What EPC reform means for landlords

By 1 October 2030, private landlords in England and Wales must reach a higher standard. Those new scores are what it uses. Fabric performance leads the list, and after that comes smart readiness or heating system.

£10,000 per property is the cap on what you can be made to spend. If the old EER showed C or above before 1 October 2029, the home counts as compliant until that EPC expires.

If yours rates below C at that point, get a new EPC using the new scores before the work, then get another one after it. Use the landlord 2030 check on your own home.

Changes to EPCs planned in Scotland

Scotland has a separate plan. New-style EPCs start on 30 April 2028, pending approval from the Scottish Parliament.

• ratings on home EPCs will cover heat retention, energy costs and heating system
• for business EPCs, the ratings will be energy performance, direct emissions and energy use
• certificates will have a 5 year life instead of 10 years
• quality will be checked under a new accreditation scheme

Scotland's fees and its year of transition

For any sale or let, old-style EPCs can be used up to 30 April 2029. A new-style EPC is needed when a home is sold or let again during that year.

From 31 October 2026 the Scottish register will charge £6.00 instead of £2.60 to lodge a home EPC. More on EPCs in Scotland.

Your current EPC and what to do

Nothing changes yet in England and Wales. The 10 year validity of your EPC still stands. It's still possible to order a new one whenever you like, to check what your upgrades did.

See how long an EPC runs and check yours. If it has run out, an EPC can be booked under today's rules.