The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published its response to the consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes on 21 January 2026, concluding a consultation that ran from 9am on 7 February 2025 to 11:59pm on 2 May 20251. The consultation set out proposals to raise the minimum energy efficiency standard required of privately rented homes in England and Wales to the equivalent of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 20301. The department received 1,920 responses from private landlords, property management organisations, homeowners, private tenants, national representative and trade bodies, professional bodies and institutions, and local authorities1.
The government response sets out several decisions. It introduces a single compliance date of 1 October 2030 for the new standard, replacing earlier proposals for a phased approach1. The standard will be a dual-metric standard, with a fabric performance standard first, followed by landlord discretion to meet either a heating system standard or a smart readiness standard1. The cost cap for exemptions rises to £10,000 with a 10-year validity period1. Properties with a current EPC C will be recognised as compliant under the future standard until the EPC expires, including private rented homes graded C or above against the Energy Efficiency Rating on EPCs before 1 October 20291. The number of exemptions available will increase and current exemptions will be amended1. Short-term lets will not be included within the scope of PRS MEES regulations, with more engagement required before any further consideration1.
"Government will proceed with introducing new powers by Act of Parliament to implement the decisions set out in the government response"
The department states that increasing standards in the sector will support the delivery of up to 5 million home upgrades by 2030 alongside the Warm Homes Plan1. It will seek to lay a statutory instrument with the aim of it coming into force in 2027 to enable these updates to the PRS regulations1.
Energy Systems Catapult, responding to the consultation in February 2025, said England's 4.6 million privately rented homes "can no longer rely on the goodwill of landlords for the upgrades that are urgently needed"2. It noted that the government is consulting on reforming EPCs, proposing multiple new metrics: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness2. It argued that EPCs "do not accurately reflect energy use in a home, and inconsistencies among assessors' evaluations leads to varying results for the same property"2. It also identified barriers including under-resourced local authorities, a retrofit workforce skills gap, and poor-quality insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme2.
A separate guide published in March 2026 states that the government has delayed EPC reforms until autumn 2027 to "fine-tune effectiveness" based on industry feedback3. It states that the current minimum standard is EPC E, and that since 1 April 2020 all private rented properties in England must have a minimum EPC rating of E, with landlords unable to legally let a property rated F or G unless a valid exemption is registered3. It puts penalties for non-compliance at £2,000 to £4,000 depending on breach type and duration3. It also states that exemptions typically last five years and must be registered before they are valid3. The government response does not mention a delay to EPC reforms; the 2027 date it gives is for the statutory instrument to enable the PRS regulation updates1.
| Decision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compliance date | 1 October 20301 |
| Standard | Dual-metric: fabric performance first, then heating system or smart readiness1 |
| Cost cap | £10,000, 10-year exemption validity1 |
| Existing EPC C | Recognised as compliant until EPC expires1 |
| Short-term lets | Out of scope1 |
Why it matters for households
For tenants in England and Wales, the standard sets a long-term direction for the physical quality of rented homes, covering insulation, heating and the ability to use flexible energy technologies. The minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes are the rules that determine whether a property can legally be let. The private rented sector in England accounts for 4.6 million homes according to Energy Systems Catapult2. The dual-metric approach means a landlord's route to compliance may involve fabric measures such as insulation, or a heating system or smart readiness standard, rather than a single cost-based rating1. The cost cap of £10,000 and the exemption regime mean some properties may remain below the standard where improvements are not cost-effective or consent is refused1. The consultation process that produced these decisions is the mechanism through which the rules were proposed and finalised.
What happens next
The government will introduce new powers by Act of Parliament to implement the decisions, and will seek to lay a statutory instrument with the aim of it coming into force in 20271. The compliance date for the new standard is 1 October 20301. A separate guide states that EPC reforms have been delayed until autumn 20273; the government response does not confirm this delay1.
Sources3 cited
- Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update - GOV.UK, gov.uk
- EPC reform - Energy Systems Catapult, es.catapult.org.uk
- EPC C Deadline for Landlords 2028: Complete Compliance Guide, chameleontechnology.co.uk