New EPC Rules 2027: Should You Get an EPC Now or Wait?
Quick answer: The new-style domestic EPC has been delayed to the second half of 2027, but nothing else has moved. A valid EPC stays valid for ten years, so there is no need to buy a new one just because the reform is coming. A new certificate is only needed when the current one has expired and the home is being sold or let, or when a landlord has a specific reason to renew early. The landlord deadline is unchanged: privately rented homes in England and Wales must reach the equivalent of EPC C by 1 October 2030.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rules cover England and Wales unless stated. This page contains affiliate links, and WarmGuide may earn a commission on certificates ordered through them at no extra cost to the reader.
The delay has left plenty of homeowners and landlords unsure what to do. Some assume a new EPC is needed before the changes arrive, others are waiting in case the new system produces a better rating. Neither assumption is quite right. This guide sets out what is changing, what is not, and who should get an EPC now, who can safely wait and what to check before paying for one. For the wider picture on why homes score badly in the first place, the complete guide to keeping a UK home warm for cheap covers the main causes of heat loss, and the WarmGuide homepage lists every guide and tool on the site.
What is changing with EPCs, and what is not
The new-style EPC is delayed to the second half of 2027
The government had planned to launch reformed domestic EPCs in October 2026, then announced in March 2026 that the launch would move to the second half of 2027 after industry warned the original date was too ambitious. The reform is intended to replace the single A to G rating with a set of separate measures, including fabric performance and an energy cost figure, and to move the underlying calculation to a new method called the Home Energy Model. Until the new system launches, EPCs continue to be produced the current way.
The 2030 landlord deadline has not moved
The delay applies to the certificate itself, not to the minimum standard for rented homes. The current minimum for a privately rented home is EPC E, and from 1 October 2030 it rises to the equivalent of EPC C in England and Wales. Landlords face a cost cap of £10,000 per property, and spending on relevant improvements from 1 October 2025 counts towards it. The government’s own consultation outcome on privately rented homes sets out the detail. The National Residential Landlords Association has pointed out that the delay does not change the MEES timeline, and that a C under today’s system is not guaranteed to remain a C under the reformed one.
EPCs still last ten years
The ten-year validity period stays the same in England and Wales. An EPC issued today remains valid until it expires, which is why a certificate with years left on it does not need replacing early. Scotland has its own rules and timetable. Draft regulations there would move new-style EPCs to 30 April 2028 and shorten validity to five years, so Scottish readers should check Scottish guidance rather than rely on the England and Wales position described here.
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Should you get an EPC now or wait?
The right answer depends on the situation, so the main cases are set out below.
You already have a valid EPC
There is nothing to gain from replacing it early. A certificate lasts ten years, and it can be looked up for free on the government’s find an energy certificate service using the address. It is worth checking before paying for anything, because many homes already have one on the register from a previous sale, letting or grant application.
Your EPC has expired and you are selling or letting
A valid certificate is needed before a property is marketed, so there is no benefit in waiting for the 2027 reform. A landlord with an expired EPC needs a new one when marketing the property to new tenants. Until the new system launches, any certificate commissioned will be a current-style one, valid for ten years.
You are a landlord with a property at C or above
The government has confirmed that privately rented homes graded C or above on an EPC issued before 1 October 2029 will be treated as compliant until that certificate expires. A landlord who is confident a property will score C or above may therefore choose to renew early. Law firms advising landlords add a warning: ratings can go down on reassessment, so an assessor’s view before commissioning a new certificate is sensible. A legal summary of the 2026 changes and a letting agent’s breakdown of the confirmed standards both set out how the 2029 cut-off works.
You are a landlord with a property at D or below
A new certificate now will not protect a D-rated property from the 2030 standard, because only C or above before October 2029 gets the transitional treatment. The better use of money is usually the improvements themselves, starting with fabric measures such as insulation and draught proofing, and keeping records of all spending from 1 October 2025 because it counts towards the £10,000 cap. A new EPC is then needed after the works to prove the result. Regional solicitors have also noted that borderline D-rated properties may be worth upgrading while the current method is still in use, since the Home Energy Model will change how ratings are calculated.
You are selling your home
An EPC must be available when a home goes on the market, but there is no minimum rating needed to sell. A low rating does not block a sale, though buyers can see it and may ask about running costs. The heating cost calculator shows what a typical home costs to heat at current prices, and the energy price cap explainer covers how those unit rates are set.
You live in your home and are not selling or letting
There is no legal requirement to hold an EPC. A certificate can still be useful because some support schemes take EPC bands into account when deciding eligibility. The UK energy grants guide, the energy grant checker and the Warm Homes Plan guide explain what is available and what each scheme asks for.
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What to do before ordering an EPC
A little preparation makes the certificate more accurate, and it is accuracy that decides the rating.
- Check the register first. A valid certificate may already exist for the address.
- Use an accredited assessor. EPCs must be produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor and lodged on the national register.
- Gather evidence of upgrades. Where insulation, a new boiler or glazing cannot be seen or proved, assessors usually fall back on assumptions based on the age of the property. Receipts, installer certificates and dated photos of loft insulation can make a real difference to the result.
- Do easy fixes first. Fitting low-energy bulbs and sorting basic controls before the visit can lift a borderline score.
- Compare quotes. Prices vary, and a cheaper quote is not always a worse one, but it is worth confirming what is included and how quickly the certificate is lodged.
Cheap improvements that tend to help a rating
EPC scoring rewards a well-insulated, well-heated home. The cheapest gains usually come from the fabric of the building and from making the existing heating work properly. Finding and sealing hidden draughts, topping up loft insulation, dealing with the colder parts of the property described in why walls feel cold in winter, and bleeding radiators so the system delivers its full output all improve how a home performs, even where they move the EPC score only slightly. Properties with a lot of exposed wall, such as end-terrace homes, often have the most to gain from insulation. The house cold diagnostic helps identify where a home is losing heat before money is spent, and the Price of a Warm Home Index shows how heating costs compare between areas. Moisture problems are a separate issue from heat loss but often appear alongside it, and the guide to the difference between damp and condensation explains how to tell them apart.
Other certificates landlords need
An EPC is only one of the compliance documents needed to let a home in England. Landlords must also arrange an annual gas safety check on every gas appliance and flue, and an electrical installation condition report at least every five years. These tend to fall due at different times, so many landlords find it easier to keep one list of renewal dates and book certificates in the same window where they can.
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Bringing it together
The EPC reform has been pushed back to the second half of 2027, the ten-year validity period is unchanged and the 2030 deadline for rented homes still stands. For most people the sensible approach is to keep a valid certificate until it expires, order a new one only when selling or letting requires it, and put money into the improvements that actually reduce heat loss. Landlords with homes already at C should consider whether renewing before October 2029 makes sense, and those with D-rated homes are usually better off planning works than buying a certificate. More guides on cutting heat loss and bills are on the WarmGuide homepage.
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Frequently asked questions
When do the new EPCs start?
The government has moved the launch of reformed domestic EPCs in England and Wales to the second half of 2027. They were originally planned for October 2026. Until the new system starts, EPCs are produced the current way.
Do I need a new EPC because of the reform?
No. An EPC remains valid for ten years, so a certificate that has not expired stays valid when the new system launches. A new one is only needed when the old one expires and the home is being sold or let, or when there is a specific reason to renew early.
How long does an EPC last?
Ten years in England and Wales, and that period is not changing under the reform. Scotland has proposed shorter five-year validity for new-style certificates once its own reforms start.
What EPC rating do landlords need?
The current minimum for private rentals in England and Wales is E. From 1 October 2030 it rises to the equivalent of EPC C. Landlords face a cost cap of £10,000 per property, and spending on relevant improvements from 1 October 2025 counts towards it.
Will a C today still be a C under the new system?
Not guaranteed. The new method calculates ratings differently, so scores can change. However, the government has confirmed that a rented home graded C or above on an EPC issued before 1 October 2029 is treated as compliant until that certificate expires.
Should landlords renew their EPC early?
Only where they are confident the property will score C or above before 1 October 2029. Ratings can go down on reassessment, so it is sensible to ask an assessor for a view first. A D-rated property will not be protected by a new certificate and generally needs improvements instead.
Do I need an EPC to sell my house?
Yes, a valid EPC must be available when a home is marketed for sale. There is no minimum rating required to sell, so a low rating does not stop a sale.
Do I need an EPC if I am not selling or renting my home?
No. There is no legal requirement to hold one. A certificate can still be useful, because some grant schemes take EPC bands into account when assessing eligibility.
How do I find my existing EPC?
Search by address on the government’s find an energy certificate service. It is free, and shows whether a valid certificate is already on the register and when it expires.
Does the EPC delay apply in Scotland?
Scotland has its own regulations. New-style EPCs there were also delayed, and draft regulations would move them to 30 April 2028. Current EPC rules continue in the meantime.