Minimum EPC rating effective from 1st April 2018

Landlords with new-to-market rental properties and those renewing tenancies will need to ensure their buy-to-let meets new minimum energy standards as of 1st April 2018. As part of new MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards), new and re-lets will need to have an EPC rating of E or higher - any property with a rating of F or lower will be illegal to let from this date.

In addition, landlords need to be aware that as of April 2020, all lets - including those that are mid tenancy - will need to meet the minimum rating of E. Although this is two years in the future, those currently with very low ratings, such as F and G, should plan for improvements now - especially if improvement works will cause disruption, such as a new boiler or double glazing - to ensure standards are met before 2020.

Robinson Jackson Lettings is also asking landlords to check the date their current EPC certificate was issued. An EPC has a shelf life of 10 years, and the first were issued back in 2007. If you were one of the first landlords to have an energy assessment, it's highly likely your EPC will be invalid, or is close to expiration. We remind landlords that it is illegal to advertise a let without a valid, in-date EPC.