Quick answer
Letting a property that doesn't meet the minimum EPC standard - without a valid exemption - is a breach of the MEES regulations, with fines of up to £30,000 per property. The safest position is a valid, in-date EPC that meets the standard, or a properly registered exemption where it genuinely can't.
What Determines the Fine Amount
Enforcement authorities can consider factors such as how long the property has been let non-compliantly, whether the landlord has been fined before for the same or a similar breach, and whether reasonable steps were taken to become compliant. Repeated or prolonged breaches attract the highest penalties, up to the £30,000 maximum.
How to Avoid a Fine
The safest position is a valid, in-date EPC that meets the applicable minimum rating for your property. Where that genuinely isn't achievable within the £10,000 cost cap, or a specific legal or practical barrier applies, registering a valid exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register protects you from enforcement. See our full EPC exemptions guide for the routes available.
Understanding exactly when the current deadline applies and what rating you actually need is the first step to avoiding an unnecessary fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
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