Is an EPC a legal requirement for letting?
Yes. You must have a valid EPC before you can legally market a property for let. The EPC must be made available to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity, either when they first view the property or when they request information about it.
What are the penalties?
For residential properties, fines for letting without a valid EPC can reach £5,000 per property. For commercial properties, the penalties are significantly higher, up to £150,000 depending on the rateable value of the property and how long it has been let without a valid certificate.
What about MEES compliance?
Having a valid EPC is not enough on its own; the property must also meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. For most residential and commercial lettings, this means a minimum E rating. MEES compliance is a separate obligation from simply holding an EPC, and letting a property with an F or G rating carries its own penalties on top of any EPC-related fines.
Are there any exemptions?
A small number of property types are exempt from the EPC requirement: listed buildings, places of worship, temporary structures, and some rural properties. Exemptions must be genuine and documented. They do not protect landlords who simply haven’t got around to commissioning an assessment.
What should landlords do?
Check the EPC register for all properties in your portfolio. If any certificates have expired or are due to expire within the next 12 months, commission renewals now. If any properties are rated F or G, take advice on improvement works immediately: you cannot legally let them without either improving the rating or registering a valid exemption.