An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient a building is and gives recommendations for improvement. For landlords letting in England, an EPC is part of the usual letting paperwork — alongside knowing whether the rating meets any minimum energy efficiency rules that apply to your property.
This page is a practical overview for self-managing landlords: what to understand, what to file, and how EPC dates sit next to gas and EICR in a simple property record. It is not a substitute for current GOV.UK guidance on exemptions, ratings, or enforcement.
EPC basics when letting in England
- You generally need a valid EPC available when marketing or letting a property, subject to official exemptions where they apply.
- EPCs are commonly discussed as lasting up to 10 years from the date of the certificate — confirm the dates on the document you hold.
- Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for the private rented sector may affect whether you can let at a given rating. Check current rules and any exemptions for your situation.
- Works, extensions, or a change of layout can mean you need a new assessment sooner than the printed end date.
What landlords usually log
- Certificate reference and PDF (or link to the official register).
- Issue date and expiry / valid-until date.
- Current rating (and any target rating you are working toward).
- Notes on planned improvements that might trigger a new EPC.
- Where the certificate sits relative to gas safety and EICR for the same address.
Common filing mistakes
- Assuming the old EPC still covers a refurbished flat without checking.
- Keeping only a screenshot of the rating graph, not the full certificate details.
- Mixing EPC renewals with gas dates in one undated “certs” folder.
- Treating a software completeness score as proof the property meets MEES — software only reflects what you entered.
A tidy per-property habit
Store gas, EICR and EPC under the same address with clear issue and expiry dates. When you market a new tenancy, open that property record first: confirm the EPC is still within date, check the rating against current letting rules, and only then send links or copies to agents or tenants as required.