What EPC rating do landlords need by 2030?

Rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC band C from 1 October 2030, unless a valid exemption applies. The current minimum is band E.

Should landlords get a new EPC before the Home Energy Model arrives?

There's no need to rush, but timing matters. A Band C certificate under the current method is expected to stay valid until it expires, ten years after it's issued, so each month you wait before the Home Energy Model arrives adds a month of cover. Book it once the upgrades are done and shortly before the change, but not at the last minute, because the launch date isn't confirmed and assessors may get busy. If your property is a long way short of C, an assessor can tell you which upgrades to do first.

Will the Home Energy Model change my property's rating?

Possibly. Homes with documented insulation, modern heating, solar panels or batteries may benefit, while homes that relied on default assumptions could lose out. Band boundaries are still to be confirmed.

Landlord EPC4 min read

New EPC rules for landlords: what the Home Energy Model means for your rental

Updated 12 November 2026 · Phil Handsaker, Domestic Energy Assessor

From 1 October 2030, rented homes in England and Wales need an EPC rating of C, unless an exemption applies. At the same time, EPCs are moving to a new calculation method called the Home Energy Model, which is expected to make Band C harder to reach for some homes. If your property is close to C, getting a new certificate before the change is worth considering.

What's changing

Elmhurst Energy, the scheme I'm accredited with, has just received the confirmed method for how existing homes will be assessed. It's known in the industry as HEMIE, and it will replace RdSAP, the system I use today.

The main differences:

1Half-hourly calculations instead of monthly ones, so ratings better reflect how a home performs through the day.
2Less reliance on assumptions about a property's age. Documented insulation and construction details can be used.
3Far more detail on modern heating, solar panels and batteries.
4A different definition of "C". Under the new EPC you'll need a C on fabric efficiency, plus a C on either the heating system or smart readiness metric, your choice.

For most homes, what I record on site should stay much the same. The change is mainly in the calculation behind the scenes, which is why good records matter.

Key dates

Late 2027the Home Energy Model is due to run alongside current EPCs.

1 October 2029new EPCs must use the Home Energy Model. A Band C certificate issued under the current method on or before this date is expected to stay valid until it expires.

1 October 2030Band C required for rented homes in England and Wales.

Dates have moved before, so it's worth checking for updates.

How I'd suggest landlords prepare

1Check your current rating and expiry date for each property.
2Gather your evidence: insulation and glazing certificates, boiler or heat pump paperwork, and details of any solar panels or batteries.
3Start with the low-cost upgrades: loft insulation, draught-proofing and heating controls.
4Keep receipts from 1 October 2025. Qualifying spend counts toward the £10,000 landlord cost cap, which includes VAT.
5If you're close to Band C, time your new EPC for shortly before the Home Energy Model arrives. A certificate lasts ten years from the date it's issued, so each month you wait before the change adds a month of cover. Don't leave it to the last minute, as the launch date isn't confirmed.

Want the full rundown?

I've written a fuller guide for landlords on Energy Guardian, covering the Home Energy Model, the £10,000 cost cap, exemptions and options for flats: EPC 2030 landlord guide .

Need an EPC for a rental property?

I'm a Government-accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (Elmhurst EES/031147, TrustMark registered) covering Shrewsbury, Telford and the wider Shropshire area. I also cover landlord EPC requirements in detail on this site.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources: Elmhurst Energy news, 12 November 2026; Government Warm Homes Plan announcements (January 2026). General information, not legal advice. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.