How much does an EPC certificate cost?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) usually costs £60–£120 for a rented home. A studio or small flat can be as cheap as £35–£70, and a 4-bed house is typically around £90–£120. An EPC lasts 10 years, so for most landlords it’s one of the cheapest compliance costs per year.

Before you book, check whether your property already has a valid EPC. You may not need a new one at all.

Typical EPC prices by property size

These are typical ranges from UK price guides, not quotes. London and the South East are usually at the top of the range.

What affects the price

• Property size. More rooms means a longer visit for the assessor.
• Location. Prices are higher in London and the South East, and in remote areas where the assessor has to travel further.
• Who you book through. Letting agents sometimes add a margin. Booking an assessor directly is often cheaper.
• Speed. Some assessors charge more for a same-day or next-day certificate.

An EPC is produced by a domestic energy assessor, who visits the property and records things like insulation, windows, heating and hot water. The certificate gives a rating from A (best) to G (worst) and lists recommended improvements.

How to find an existing EPC

You can look up any lodged certificate for free on the GOV.UK find an energy certificate service. Search by postcode to see the rating, the date it was issued and when it expires.

If the EPC is still in date, you can use it for a new tenancy. You only need a new one if it has expired, or if you’ve made improvements and want a better rating on record.

The legal rules for landlords

England and Wales

• You need a valid EPC to let. Prospective tenants must be shown it.
• Valid for 10 years.
• Minimum rating E. Since 1 April 2020, you can’t let a property rated F or G unless you have a valid exemption. This applies to all relevant tenancies, not just new ones.
• Cost cap of £3,500. If the property is below E, you must make improvements up to a cap of £3,500 including VAT. If you’ve spent that and still can’t reach E, you can register a high-cost exemption.

Exemptions

Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Most last 5 years. The main types are:

• all relevant improvements have been made and the property is still below E
• high cost (improvements would cost more than £3,500)
• wall insulation that would damage the property
• consent refused by a third party, such as a lender or freeholder, or by the tenant
• devaluation (improvements would reduce the property’s value by more than 5%)
• new landlord (a temporary exemption that lasts 6 months).

Penalties

Councils can fine you up to £5,000 per property for each breach of the current rules. That’s up to £2,000 for a breach of less than 3 months and up to £4,000 for 3 months or more, and the council can also publish the details of the breach.

EPC C by 2030: what’s changing

In January 2026 the government confirmed that the minimum standard for privately rented homes in England and Wales will rise to EPC C (or equivalent) by 1 October 2030. Key points:

• One deadline for all tenancies. The earlier 2028 date for new tenancies that had been proposed was dropped.
• Cost cap of £10,000 per property, not the £15,000 that was consulted on. Qualifying spend counts from 1 October 2025. For cheaper homes, the cap is the lower of £10,000 or 10% of the property’s value.
• Higher penalties. The maximum fine will rise to £30,000 per property for each breach.
• Existing C ratings count. A property with a C rating on an EPC lodged before 1 October 2029 will be treated as compliant until that EPC expires.
• Short-term lets are not in scope at this time.

The regulations still need to be made. They’re expected in 2027, so the details could change. In Wales, Rent Smart Wales has confirmed the same EPC C standard by 1 October 2030.

If your property is rated D or below, it’s worth getting quotes for improvements now and spreading the work over the next few years.

A new-style EPC is coming

The government plans a reformed EPC for England with several new measures. Its launch has been delayed to the second half of 2027. Existing EPCs stay valid for their full 10 years, so you don’t need to replace yours early.

Scotland is different

Scotland has its own rules:

• There is no minimum EPC rating for private lets in force in Scotland at the moment. The England and Wales regulations don’t apply.
• The Scottish Government has consulted on requiring a new Heat Retention Rating of C, proposed for new tenancies from 2028 and all private lets by the end of 2033. These dates may change.
• New-style Scottish EPCs are due to come into force on 30 April 2028.
• The fee for lodging an EPC in Scotland rises from £2.60 to £6.00 on 31 October 2026, so some assessors may increase their prices slightly.

You still need a valid EPC to let a property in Scotland.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Check for an existing EPC first. If it’s in date, it costs nothing.
• Book directly with a local assessor rather than through an agent.
• Make cheap improvements before the assessment, such as low-energy bulbs or loft insulation top-ups, if you want a better rating.
• Book alongside other checks like your gas safety certificate or EICR when you’re preparing for a new tenancy.
• Set a reminder for the 10-year expiry. Use our free certificate reminders so it doesn’t run out between tenancies.