On 21st January 2026, the Government published a partial response to the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime. The response sets out proposed changes to what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will measure and when they will be required. The consultation ran from December 2024 to February 2025 and received over 1,600 responses from a wide range of stakeholders.
Further responses covering Display Energy Certificates, EPC data, quality assurance and air conditioning inspection reports will be published in 2026. Subject to parliamentary approval, regulations are intended to be introduced in 2026, ahead of the implementation of new-style domestic EPCs from October 2026.
The reforms are intended to provide clearer information on building energy performance, support compliance with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and contribute to wider objectives including reducing energy bills and supporting the transition to net zero.
What EPCs will measure
- Domestic EPCs will move from a single headline rating to four headline metrics: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness.
- Secondary metrics will be included on domestic EPCs for delivered energy demand and carbon emissions.
- The current energy efficiency rating will be retained during the transition period to support comparison with current EPCs and ongoing compliance with existing regulations.
- Non-domestic EPCs will continue to use a single carbon-based environmental impact rating as the headline metric.
When EPCs will be required
- The current ten-year validity period for EPCs will be maintained.
- A valid EPC will be required at the point a property is marketed rather than point of sale or rent.
- Requirement for a valid EPC to cover the whole property in HMOs (house in multiple occupation) where a single room is let, for short-term rental properties regardless of who pays energy bills, and for heritage properties (removing current exemptions).
- The Government will continue to refine the approach to EPC renewal in the private rented sector to ensure effective alignment with MEES requirements.
Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime – partial government response – GOV.UK