What EPC rating do I need to rent out a property?

Band E or better in England and Wales, under the MEES regulations, unless you hold a registered exemption. From 1 October 2030 the requirement rises to an EPC C equivalent standard.

Do I need a new EPC for every new tenancy?

No. You need a valid EPC when marketing and letting. One certificate covers all tenancies within its 10-year life, provided the rating meets the floor.

What are the penalties for letting below band E?

Up to £2,000 for a breach under 3 months, up to £4,000 for longer, plus publication penalties, capped at £5,000 per property in total under the current regime.

What changes for landlords in 2030?

From 1 October 2030 privately rented homes in England and Wales must meet an EPC C equivalent standard or hold a valid exemption, with a £10,000 cost cap and 10-year exemptions.

EPC for Landlords: The Whole Ruleset on One Page

Verdict: Plan ahead

Band E lets you let today. Band C is the 2030 requirement. Everything else is detail.

If your rental is E or better, you are legal now. If it is D or E, you have works or an exemption to arrange before 1 October 2030. If it is F or G, stop letting it until you have improved it or registered an exemption.

The rules, in the order they bite

Marketing. You need a valid EPC before you advertise the property to let GOV.UK⁠. Check the register first; one may exist.
The floor. Since 1 April 2020, no domestic property in England and Wales may be let, or continue to be let, below band E without a registered exemption GOV.UK MEES⁠. The regulations behind this are the MEES Regulations 2015 SI 2015/962⁠; the full history is on MEES explained.
The cost cap. You are never obliged to spend more than £3,500 (inc VAT) getting a sub-E property to E; spend it and fall short, and you can register an all-improvements exemption GOV.UK MEES⁠.
The horizon. From 1 October 2030 the standard rises to EPC C equivalent, with a £10,000 cap and 10-year exemptions, confirmed in the January 2026 government response Gov response Jan 2026⁠. The planning page is EPC C by 2030.

Penalties

MEES penalties, domestic lets (current regime)

Breach	Penalty
Letting a sub-E property, breach under 3 months	Up to £2,000, and/or publication penalty
Letting a sub-E property, breach 3 months or more	Up to £4,000, and/or publication penalty
Registering false or misleading exemption information	Up to £1,000, and/or publication
Failing to comply with a compliance notice	Up to £2,000, and/or publication
Maximum total per property	£5,000

Per the MEES landlord guidance GOV.UK MEES⁠. Separate £200 penalties apply for marketing without any EPC; see fines and penalties.

Exemptions, briefly

Six routes: all improvements made, high cost, wall insulation unsuitability, third-party consent refused, devaluation over 5%, and new-landlord grace. Most last 5 years and all must be registered with evidence on the PRS Exemptions Register GOV.UK⁠. Full detail on the exemptions page.

Your next step

Run your band and situation through Can I let it? for the verdict, then check the timing question every landlord now faces on should I renew my EPC now. Tenant-side rules are on EPC for tenants.