The UK Government has announced that its planned reforms to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will not go ahead in October 2026 as previously indicated. The launch has been pushed back to the second half of 2027, after engagement with industry raised concerns about the feasibility of the original timeline.
The announcement affects England and Wales, while Scotland has separately confirmed a matching delay.
Proposed changes to the EPC framework
The proposed changes represent a significant overhaul of the current EPC system. At present, properties are assigned a single energy efficiency rating from A to G, based largely on estimated energy costs. Under the new approach, this would be replaced by a set of four seperate metrics:
- Heating system
- Fabric performance
- Energy cost
- Smart readiness
These new ratings would be calculated using the Home Energy Model, which is expected to replace the existing Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) methodolody.
In its partial response to consultation, published in January 2026 alongside the Warm Homes Plan, the government outlined a number of intended changes. These include removing EPC exemptions for heritage properties, requiring a valid EPC to be provided for a whole HMO when a single room is let, as well as requiring short-term rental properties to have an up-to-date EPC regardless of who pays energy bills.
Why the delay?
Industry bodies have for some time suggested that the October 2026 target may not have been achievable. The scale of preparation required is significant: thousands of energy assessors would need retraining, the Domestic Energy Assessor qualification would require redevelopment, conventions would need updating and new software would have to be tested and approved.
The sector has also recently undergone a major change to the assessment process. RdSAP 10, introduced in June 2025, represented a substantial update to the SAP methodology. This transition required assessors to adopt more detailed data collection practives, including individual window measurements, expanded ventilation inputs and revised approaches to recording insulation. Layering another round of fundamental change on top of that so soon would have placed pressure on assessors, accreditation schemes and software providers.
The government has now said that it will work with industry and the devolved administrators to agree a revised launch date and implementation plan for its EPC reforms by summer 2026.
MEES requirements remain unchanged
The delay to EPC reform does not affect the current trajectory of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Under proposals set out in the Warm Homes Plan, landlords are expected to achieve a minimum EPC rating of Band C by October 2030. The government has indicated that a spending cap of £10,000 per property will apply, a rise from the current £3,500 cap, with eligible improvements made from October 2025 counting towards that limit.
EPCs issues under the current methodology remain valid for 10 years. As a result, certificates obtained ahead of the new framework may continue to support compliance beyond the 2030 deadline. The introduction of revised metrics, however, means that performance under current system may not directly align with outcomes under the future framework.
The July 2025 consultation on socially rented homes proposed assessing MEES using three new metrics, aligned with the reformed EPC: fabric performance, smart readiness and heating system. Homes would need to achieve EPC C on two of these metrics, with the government’s preferred “fabric first” approach requiring the standard to be met for fabric performance first, followed by either smart readiness or heating system.
What this means in practice
For property owners, landlords and housing providers, the revised EPC timeline provides additional lead-in time ahead of implementation. Detailed methodology and calculation processes for the new system are yet to be finalised and, in the meantime, the existing EPC framework remains in force. Further updates are expected as the government confirms the final structure and delivery approach.
For those involved in retrofit delivery, this extended timeframe maintains continuity in the current system, as EPCs produced under existing methodologies will continue to inform project design, funding eligibility and compliance requirements for the time being. When engaging with longer-term planning, however it will be important to bear in mind the proposed shift to a broader set of performance indicators.
Our team delivers energy efficiency and retrofit programmes at scale, supporting clients with EPC compliance, assessment and project delivery. To discuss how the changes to EPCs may affect your organisation, get in contact with our team.
