EPC for Landlords in Hertfordshire – 2026 Requirements & 2030 Changes
If you rent out a property in Hertfordshire, having the correct Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an important part of meeting your responsibilities as a landlord.
ABC Energy Reports provides fast, accredited EPC assessments for landlords across Hertfordshire, including Hertford, Ware, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, St Albans, Stevenage and surrounding areas.
Whether you are preparing a property for a new tenant, checking an existing EPC or planning improvements ahead of future energy-efficiency requirements, we can help you obtain an accurate, government-registered Energy Performance Certificate.
Need an EPC for your rental property?
Call 07720 906169 or email hello@abcenergyreports.co.uk to arrange an assessment.
What Are the EPC Requirements for Landlords in 2026?
For most privately rented homes covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), the current minimum energy-efficiency rating is E.
A property with an EPC rating of F or G generally cannot be let or continue to be let unless appropriate improvements have been made or a valid exemption has been registered.
This means landlords should check both whether their property has a valid EPC and what rating the property currently achieves.
An EPC grades a property from:
A – Most energy efficient
through to:
G – Least energy efficient
For landlords, the EPC is therefore much more than a piece of paperwork. It can identify potential compliance issues and highlight improvements that could increase the energy efficiency of the property
Do Landlords Need an EPC Before Renting a Property?
In most cases, an EPC is required when an existing residential property is marketed for rent.
The certificate should be made available to prospective tenants and the property's energy rating should be included when the property is advertised.
A standard EPC is normally valid for 10 years, unless another EPC is produced for the property during that period.
If you already have an EPC, it is worth checking the expiry date and current rating before marketing the property.
If the certificate has expired and you intend to re-let the property, arrange a new EPC assessment before marketing begins.
What Is the Minimum EPC Rating for a Rental Property?
As of 2026, the minimum rating under the current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for most covered domestic private rented properties is E.
Properties rated F or G may require energy-efficiency improvements before they can legally be rented unless a valid exemption applies.
Possible improvements will depend on the individual property and may include areas such as:
- Loft, wall or floor insulation
- Heating controls
- Hot-water insulation
- More efficient heating systems
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Window improvements
- Renewable-energy technologies
Your EPC contains recommendations relevant to the property and gives an indication of how those measures could affect its energy rating.
Are Landlord EPC Rules Changing in 2030?
Yes. Landlords should now also be considering the government's plans for significantly higher energy-efficiency standards in the private rented sector.
The government has announced a single compliance date of 1 October 2030 for a new standard intended to bring privately rented homes to the equivalent of EPC C.
However, landlords should understand the difference between the current rules and the future standard.
The current minimum remains EPC E for properties covered by the existing MEES regulations. Further legislation is required to introduce the new 2030 standard.
For Hertfordshire landlords, this makes the next few years a useful opportunity to assess properties and understand what improvements may be required rather than waiting until closer to the deadline.
If your rental property is currently rated D or E, obtaining an up-to-date EPC can provide a useful starting point for future improvement planning.
Should I Get a New EPC Before 2030?
You do not necessarily need to replace a valid EPC purely because regulations are expected to change.
However, there can be good reasons to obtain a new assessment sooner.
For example, you may have:
Improved the insulation.
Installed a new boiler or heating system.
Replaced windows.
Added renewable technologies.
Completed an extension or major renovation.
Purchased a rental property with an older EPC.
A new assessment can show whether those changes have improved the property's rating and provide updated recommendations.
It can also help landlords understand how far a property may be from the future energy-efficiency standard.
What Happens During a Landlord EPC Assessment?
An EPC assessment is carried out at the rental property by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor.
The assessor records information that affects the energy efficiency of the building. This can include the property's construction, dimensions, insulation, windows, heating system, hot-water system and lighting.
The assessment is non-destructive. The assessor records what can be identified and evidenced during the inspection.
The information collected is entered into approved energy-assessment software, which calculates the property's energy-efficiency rating.
The completed EPC is then lodged on the official government Energy Performance Certificate register.
How Can Landlords Improve an EPC Rating?
There is no single improvement that is best for every rental property.
A Victorian terrace in Hertford may have very different energy-efficiency characteristics from a modern apartment in Welwyn Garden City or a detached house in Ware.
The EPC recommendations provide a useful starting point because they are based on the characteristics recorded during the assessment.
Common recommendations can include improving insulation, upgrading heating controls, replacing inefficient heating equipment or introducing renewable-energy measures.
Landlords planning major improvements should obtain appropriate specialist advice before committing to expensive work.
If your objective is to raise the EPC rating, it can also be useful to understand which improvements are likely to make the greatest difference before undertaking refurbishment.
How Much Does a Landlord EPC Cost in Hertfordshire?
The cost of a domestic EPC depends on the size and complexity of the property.
At ABC Energy Reports, our current guide prices start from approximately:
1-bedroom property – £75
2-bedroom property – £85
3-bedroom property – from £120
Larger homes, extensions, unusual layouts and more complex properties may require an individual quotation.
Contact us with the property address and basic details and we can confirm the cost before arranging your assessment.
EPCs for Portfolio Landlords and Letting Agents
We also work with landlords, property professionals and letting agents who need EPC assessments across multiple properties.
If you manage a portfolio, we can help coordinate appointments with landlords, agents or tenants to make the process as straightforward as possible.
This can be particularly useful where several EPCs are approaching expiry or where a landlord wants to review the energy ratings across a portfolio ahead of future regulations.
Contact ABC Energy Reports to discuss multiple-property EPC bookings in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.
Landlord EPC Assessments Across Hertfordshire
ABC Energy Reports is based in Hertford and provides domestic EPC assessments across Hertfordshire and surrounding locations.
Our regular coverage includes Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, St Albans and Stevenage, together with nearby towns and villages.
Being locally based means we can offer straightforward appointment booking and work directly with landlords, estate agents, letting agents and tenants where required.
If your property is elsewhere in Hertfordshire, contact us to confirm availability.
Why Choose ABC Energy Reports for Your Landlord EPC?
ABC Energy Reports provides professional EPC assessments with a focus on fast appointments, clear communication and reliable service.
We offer:
- Fully accredited domestic energy assessments.
- Government-registered Energy Performance Certificates.
- Fast and flexible appointments.
- Straightforward pricing.
- Local Hertfordshire coverage.
- Appointments coordinated with tenants or agents where required.
- Domestic and commercial EPC expertise.
- Friendly advice about the EPC assessment process.
Our aim is to make obtaining your landlord EPC as simple as possible.
Book a Landlord EPC in Hertfordshire
If you are preparing to rent a property, your EPC is approaching expiry, or you simply want an up-to-date assessment of your property's energy efficiency, contact ABC Energy Reports.
Call: 07720 906169
Email: hello@abcenergyreports.co.uk
We provide accredited EPC assessments for landlords throughout Hertfordshire, with fast appointments from our Hertford base.
Book your EPC assessment today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landlord EPCs
How long does a landlord EPC last?
An Energy Performance Certificate is normally valid for 10 years unless another EPC is produced for the same property.
What EPC rating does a landlord need in 2026?
For most domestic properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, the current minimum rating is EPC E. Properties rated F or G generally cannot be let unless the required improvements have been undertaken or a valid exemption applies.
Will rental properties need an EPC C by 2030?
The government has decided on a new private rented sector energy-efficiency standard with a compliance date of 1 October 2030, intended to be equivalent to EPC C. Further legislation is required to implement the new standard, so landlords should distinguish this future requirement from today's EPC E minimum.
Do I need a new EPC every time I get a new tenant?
Not normally. If the property already has a valid EPC that is suitable for the letting, the certificate can generally continue to be used during its 10-year validity period.
Can I rent a property with an EPC rating of F or G?
A domestic private rented property covered by MEES generally cannot be let or continue to be let with an F or G rating unless the landlord has taken the required steps to improve it or has a valid registered exemption.
Who can produce an EPC?
An EPC must be produced by an appropriately accredited energy assessor.
Where can I check my property's existing EPC?
Existing Energy Performance Certificates can be searched through the official government Energy Performance Certificate service.
Can ABC Energy Reports arrange access directly with my tenant or letting agent?
Yes. Where required, we can liaise with landlords, tenants and agents to arrange a suitable appointment for the EPC assessment.