An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a mandatory document required for properties being rented or sold in the UK, providing an assessment of the property's energy efficiency and environmental impact. EPCs serve as important tools for tenants to understand the potential costs associated with heating, lighting, and other utility expenses. Landlords are legally obligated to provide these certificates before any rental agreements start, ensuring transparency about a property's energy efficiency.
In 2026, the importance of EPCs has escalated due to evolving legislation aimed at enhancing tenant rights and promoting sustainable living standards. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025), among other new regulations, introduces stricter requirements for landlords regarding property conditions and energy efficiency.
What the Law Says
The legal framework governing EPCs is primarily established by the Housing Act 1988 (Sections 8, 13, and 21) and the Deregulation Act 2015 (Section 33). The Housing Act 1988 outlines the general responsibilities of landlords towards their tenants regarding property maintenance. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 mandates that properties must be fit for human habitation, which includes compliance with energy efficiency standards. The Housing Act 2004 (Sections 213-215) further reinforces these responsibilities by requiring landlords to ensure that rental properties meet certain basic criteria, including energy performance.
the Tenant Fees Act 2019 prohibits landlords and agents from charging fees for providing EPCs or other statutory documents required under landlord obligations. This ensures that tenants aren't burdened with unnecessary costs when acquiring important documentation about their property's condition and efficiency.
How the Renters' Rights Act 2025 Changes This
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 significantly alters the situation of tenant protection and landlord responsibilities, including requirements for EPCs. Section 21 has been abolished, replacing notice periods with more equitable alternatives that favour tenants' rights to stay in their homes without arbitrary eviction notices.
Periodic tenancies now start from day one instead of requiring a fixed term before transitioning into periodic status. At Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), this change ensures that tenants don't lose certain protections during the initial rental period. The annual rent cap introduced via Section 13 of the Renters' Rights Act ensures that landlords can't impose unreasonable increases in rent, thereby providing financial stability to tenants.
The Decent Homes Standard has been extended to include all private rented sector (PRS) properties, ensuring a minimum standard of living for all tenants. Awaab's Law, which initially applied to social housing, is now applicable to the PRS as well, holding private landlords accountable for maintaining healthy and safe environments.
The Act also mandates registration with the Private Rented Sector Database, enhancing transparency in landlord-tenant relationships by providing access to important information about property conditions and landlord conduct. These changes collectively reinforce the importance of EPCs in ensuring that rental properties aren't only habitable but also energy-efficient, promoting sustainable living practices for all tenants.
What This Means for Tenants
For tenants, the introduction of these new regulations means they have more strong protections against substandard housing conditions and unfair practices by landlords. When signing a lease or viewing a property. Tenants should expect to receive an up-to-date EPC along with other statutory documents. These certificates provide critical information about the energy efficiency of the home. Which can significantly impact ongoing costs such as heating bills.
Tenants are advised to review the EPC carefully and consider any recommendations for improving the property's energy rating before signing a lease agreement. If the certificate reveals that significant improvements are needed but haven't been addressed by the landlord. Tenants may be entitled to negotiate more favourable terms or seek alternative accommodations. In cases where landlords fail to provide an EPC or obstruct necessary improvements. Tenants can escalate issues through formal complaints and legal avenues.
What This Means for Landlords
Landlords must now adhere to stricter standards regarding property maintenance and energy efficiency due to the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Providing a valid EPC is mandatory before renting out any property. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in penalties or other legal consequences.
Landlords are expected to address any recommendations outlined in an EPC, such as installing better insulation, updating heating systems, or replacing energy-efficient light bulbs. At Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), not only does this improve tenant satisfaction and reduce utility costs for tenants, but it also contributes to the long-term sustainability of rental properties.
Compliance with these new regulations is important for maintaining a positive reputation within the PRS community and avoiding potential disputes with tenants over property conditions and living standards. Landlords should regularly update EPCs every ten years or when significant changes are made to the property that could affect its energy rating.
Common Scenarios
- Tenant Requests Improvements Based on EPC: A tenant receives an outdated EPC showing low energy efficiency ratings for their rental home. They request that the landlord address these issues, such as installing double glazing or better insulation. The landlord refuses, citing financial constraints and a lack of immediate need. The tenant seeks advice from Shelter about their rights in this scenario.
- EPC Not Provided Before Lease Signing: A prospective tenant discovers after signing a lease agreement that no EPC was provided by the landlord during the viewing process. The property's heating system is inefficient, leading to high utility bills despite reasonable insulation and lighting measures being implemented. The tenant contacts their local council's environmental health department for guidance on enforcing compliance.
- Landlord Fails to Address EPC Recommendations: A long-term tenant notices significant discrepancies between the recommendations in their EPC and the actual condition of their property over time. Despite repeated requests, the landlord fails to take necessary actions like repairing a faulty heating system or upgrading lighting fixtures. The tenant considers filing a dispute with the deposit scheme regarding these unmet obligations.
Evidence Tenants Should Keep
Tenants should maintain thorough records related to their EPC and any subsequent discussions or complaints regarding property conditions:
- EPC Certificate: Keep the original document for reference, noting the issuance date and validity period. At Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), - Correspondence: Retain copies of emails, letters, or texts exchanged with the landlord about property improvements or maintenance issues highlighted in the EPC.
- Photographs: Take clear pictures of any areas of concern that align with recommendations from the EPC, such as poor insulation around windows or inefficient lighting fixtures.
- Dates and Deadlines: Note down all relevant dates including when the lease was signed, initial viewings took place, and follow-up meetings occurred regarding property improvements. This helps track timelines for compliance.
- Rent Payments and Utility Bills: Document proof of payments made towards rent and utilities to substantiate claims about cost inefficiencies due to poor energy performance.
What to Do if Things Go Wrong
If disputes arise over EPC requirements or other tenant rights violations, tenants should follow a structured escalation process:
- Write a Formal Complaint Letter: Address the issues in writing to your landlord, outlining specific concerns and requesting immediate action.
- Contact Environmental Health Department: If informal communication fails, reach out to your local council's environmental health department for guidance on enforcing compliance with EPC regulations.
- Deposit Scheme Dispute: If disputes involve deposit refunds due to unmet obligations, submit a dispute claim through the relevant tenancy deposit protection scheme (TDP).
- Housing Ombudsman Complaints: For broader landlord conduct issues beyond immediate property conditions, consider filing complaints with the Housing Ombudsman for mediation.
- PRS Ombudsman Involvement: For disputes related to PRS-specific regulations like those introduced by RRA 2025, involve the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman for resolution.
- First-Tier Tribunal: If all else fails and legal action is necessary, tenants may file claims with a First-Tier Tribunal to resolve disputes over EPC compliance or other tenancy issues.
- County Court Action: As a last resort, seek legal advice on initiating proceedings in the county court if informal resolutions don't address tenant concerns adequately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Both tenants and landlords often make similar errors when dealing with EPC requirements:
- Ignoring Outdated Certificates: Failing to update an EPC every ten years or upon significant changes can result in legal non-compliance issues for landlords.
- Misunderstanding Tenant Rights: Tenants may overlook their entitlements regarding property conditions based on outdated information or lack of awareness about recent legislative updates.
- Neglecting Follow-Up Actions: Landlords might neglect addressing recommendations in an EPC without proper justification, leading to tenant dissatisfaction and potential disputes.
- Failing to Document Correspondence: Keeping detailed records is important for substantiating claims during any formal complaints or legal actions involving EPC compliance issues.
Where to Get Help
For additional support on dealing with these complexities, tenants can turn to organisations like Shelter, Citizens Advice, their local council's housing team, and specialist housing solicitors. At Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), legal aid may be available under certain circumstances to assist with disputes over property conditions and tenant rights enforcement. Always consult these resources for guidance tailored specifically to your situation and location.
By understanding the legal requirements and staying informed about evolving regulations like those in the Renters' Rights Act 2025, both tenants and landlords can ensure a more harmonious rental experience while promoting sustainable living standards across the UK.