Can you rent out a property with EPC rating B?
Yes. Band B (81 to 91 points) is above the current E floor and the announced 2030 C standard. No MEES action is required.
What the law says
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 make it unlawful to let a domestic property with an EPC below band E (since 1 April 2020 for all tenancies) unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Local authorities can impose penalties of up to £2,000 (breach under 3 months), £4,000 (3 months or more), £2,000 for ignoring a compliance notice and £1,000 for false register entries, capped at £5,000 per property. They can also publish the breach.
The 2030 C standard
On 21 January 2026 the government confirmed a single compliance date of 1 October 2030 for an EPC C level standard in the private rented sector, a £10,000 cost cap and ten year exemptions. Existing C certificates will be recognised until they expire. The regulations have not yet been laid. Treat dates and caps as announced policy.
Planning ahead
- Pull the recommendations from the current certificate and cost the route to C now. The announced £10,000 cap is per property.
- Reassess after works so the new rating is lodged before 1 October 2030.
- Check certificate expiry: an EPC lasts 10 years and a new tenancy needs a valid one.