What are the new EPC regulations 2025 scrapped?

The government made a U-turn and removed the upcoming EPC requirements for rental properties. Originally, landlords had to upgrade rental properties to have an EPC rating of C or higher by 2025 for new and 2028 for all existing tenancies. Now, all of these EPC requirements have been abandoned. The government says it will instead encourage landlords to upgrade their rental properties’ energy efficiency voluntarily. EPC changes removed There were fines of up to £30,000 for not compliance.

The Government's proposal in the Bill is that rental properties meet a compulsory energy performance certificate rating of band 'C' on new tenancies by December 2025, and on all rented properties by December 2028. The Bill states: The Secretary of State must amend the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented 15 Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/962) to require that, subject to subsection (2)'(a) all new tenancies must have an energy efficiency performance of at least EPC Band C from 31 December 2025; and(b) all existing tenancies must be at least EPC Band C from 31 December 20 2028 where practical, cost-effective and affordable as defined under section 1(4). There have been recent confusing reports put out that from 2025, all newly rented properties in England & Wales will be required to have an EPC rating of band C or above.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system will see the introduction of RdSAP 10 – an update to the methodology that underpins domestic energy assessments in existing homes. The changes are the most significant in over a decade and are expected to improve the accuracy of EPCs, better reflect how homes are used, and help inform decisions on energy efficiency. Key changes in energy assessments include expanded data collection, more accurate assessment of heating systems, improved floor area and insulation modelling, and better treatment of flats and mid-terrace properties. Landlords will need to be more proactive in maintaining and providing evidence of energy improvements. EPCs are already a regulatory requirement for letting properties, and minimum standards (currently EPC E in England and Wales) mean that an inaccurate or lower-than-expected rating could block a tenancy. The changes mean residents can have greater confidence in the accuracy of EPCs. Tenants may use this information to identify more energy-efficient homes, potentially lowering their energy bills. Homeowners looking to sell may find that a more accurate EPC helps them highlight energy efficiency improvements they've made—provided they can evidence them. The version set to be introduced in June 2025, RdSAP 10, incorporates new data inputs, revised assumptions, and structural changes designed to bring EPCs closer to reality.