The UK government has published a partial response to its consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime, confirming a number of changes to energy performance certificates (EPCs) for both domestic and non-domestic properties in England and Wales.
While some details have not been finalised, the response confirms several headline decisions, including the removal of EPC exemptions for heritage buildings and a target date of October 2026 for new EPCs to come into force.
A further response covering remaining elements of the consultation, including Display Energy Certificates (DECs), and data reforms, will be published later in 2026.
EPC reform: what has been confirmed
- Heritage buildings will no longer be exempt from EPCs
The government has confirmed that heritage properties will need an EPC when they are marketed, rented or sold. This brings heritage buildings into line with the wider private rented and sales markets. The government says the change will improve consistency and provide better information for landlords, tenants and buyers.
- Four new headline metrics for domestic EPCs
For domestic EPCs, the existing single cost metric will be replaced with four new headline metrics: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness. There will also be a new secondary energy demand metric, based on delivered energy, to provide information on modelled energy usage of a building. The secondary carbon-based metric on domestic EPCs will also be retained.
- Non-domestic EPCs retain a single headline metric
Non-domestic EPCs will retain a carbon-based Environmental Impact Rating (EIR) as the headline metric. This is intended to support businesses in the net zero transition, enable them to report on their emissions, and facilitate ongoing compliance with non-domestic Minimum Efficiency Standards (MEEs) regulation.
- EPCs will remain valid for ten years
The consultation considered shortening the lifespan of EPCs to better capture the results of building upgrades, but the final decision is to retain the current ten-year validity period, to ease the cost and burden of more frequent assessments.
- EPCs must be in place at marketing stage
EPCs will be required at the point a property is marketed, rather than at the point of sale or letting. This is to ensure energy performance information is available earlier and to make compliance clearer.
- EPCs required for single room lettings
Homes of multiple occupancy (HMOs) will now be required to have a valid EPC, even when a single room is let.
- Short-term rental properties will require an EPC
Currently there are no specific requirements for short-term rental properties to have an EPC in regulation, however the reforms will mandate this, regardless of who pays the energy bills.
Unconfirmed changes to EPCs
A number of important elements of the EPC reform programme remain unconfirmed and will be addressed in the government’s final response later in 2026. One outstanding question is whether landlords will be required to commission a new EPC as soon as an existing certificate expires. The government says this is being considered alongside upcoming changes to MEEs, to ensure the two regimes work together effectively without placing unnecessary burdens on landlords. Further engagement with landlord groups is planned before a final position is confirmed.
EPC arrangements for the social housing sector remain outside the scope of this update. these will be set out following the government’s response to the consultation on Improving the Energy Efficiency of Socially Rented Homes, which is expected in early 2026.
The future of DECs
There is also no final decision yet on changes to Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for public sector buildings. The government is still considering when DECs should be required, how long they should remain valid, and whether they are the most effective way of driving energy performance improvements in public buildings.
Alongside this, ministers have yet to confirm changes to how EPC and DEC data is managed and accessed, or how quality assurance of certificates will be strengthened.
For advice on how EPC reforms could affect you, and how to comply with the changes, get in touch with Sustainable Energy First.
