DATA | ENERGY | PRIMARY SOURCE
TL;DR
The average EPC rating for existing homes in England is Band D (median SAP score 69). 87% of new dwellings received an A or B rating in Q1 2026. Around 52% of privately rented homes are currently below Band C -- the minimum landlords must meet by October 2030. There are approximately 30 million EPC certificates on the register. Sources: ONS (October 2025), MHCLG Q1 2026 statistical release.
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Key figures
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UK EPC ratings: what the data shows
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data is collected every time a property in England and Wales is built, sold or let. With approximately 30 million certificates now on the register, the dataset provides the most comprehensive picture of housing energy efficiency available anywhere in the UK.
The data reveals a persistent gap between new and existing housing stock. New dwellings -- driven by progressive tightening of Building Regulations Part L -- are now consistently rated A or B. Existing homes, particularly those built before 1980, remain concentrated in Band D. The policy pressure point is the private rented sector, where landlords must reach Band C by 1 October 2030 under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations.
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Chart 1: Median EPC score by English region 10 years to March 2025. Band C threshold = SAP 69. Source: ONS, October 2025. |
How EPC ratings are distributed nationally
Approximately 40% of all English homes are rated Band D and a further 39% are rated Band C. Together these two bands account for around four in five homes. Around 15% of homes remain in bands E, F or G -- below the current minimum standard for rented properties. The government estimates around 2 million privately rented homes need upgrading to reach Band C before the 2030 deadline.
Rural homes are disproportionately poorly rated -- less than one in ten properties in smaller remote rural areas is currently in Band C or above, according to the English Housing Survey 2024-25.
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Chart 2: Distribution of EPC bands across English homes Approx. distribution of ~29m existing dwellings. Source: MHCLG / English Housing Survey 2024-25. A 1% B 5% C 39% D 40% E 10% F 3% G 2% |
EPC trend: new homes vs existing stock
New dwellings improved from a median SAP score of 82 in the period to March 2013 to 84 in the period to March 2025. Existing homes improved more slowly, rising from approximately 56 to 65 over the same period. The Home Energy Model (HEM) is expected to replace SAP 2012 from H2 2027.
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Chart 3: New vs existing home EPC scores 2015-2026 Median SAP scores. Source: MHCLG EPC Statistical Releases; HoC Library CBP-9889 (April 2026). New dwellings Existing homes |
Q1 2026: latest EPC lodgement data
In Q1 2026, 460,000 EPCs were lodged -- a 2% decrease year-on-year. Of these, 416,000 were domestic. New dwelling EPCs (48,000) increased 6%. London recorded the largest regional increase at 43% year-on-year.
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Chart 4: New dwellings rated A or B -- quarterly (Q1 2025 to Q1 2026) % of new dwelling EPCs receiving A or B rating. Source: MHCLG Q1 2026 (May 2026). |
EPC and the 2030 rental deadline
From 1 October 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must reach at least Band C. Around 52% of the private rented sector currently falls below this threshold. Landlords who fail to comply face fines of up to PS30,000 per property. Some exemptions apply where improvement costs exceed PS15,000.
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2 data shows 99% of upgraded social homes reached Band C or above following a full measures package. Read the Warm Homes Plan grants guide for what funding is available.
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Related guides |
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Disclaimer: All data sourced from UK government primary publications under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Statistics represent national and regional aggregates. Always obtain a current EPC assessment for your specific property. Verify current MEES requirements at gov.uk before acting. |
What does each EPC band cost per month?
EPC bands reflect the estimated annual energy cost of heating and powering a typical home. The costs below are estimates for a typical three-bedroom semi-detached property in England, based on the Ofgem price cap in place for Q2 2026 and MHCLG energy cost data published alongside EPC certificates. Actual costs vary significantly by property size, construction type, occupancy and energy usage habits.
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How these figures are calculated: Costs are estimates based on MHCLG energy cost data published on EPC certificates and Ofgem's average annual household energy bill (Q2 2026: £1,849). They represent a typical three-bedroom semi-detached property in England. Costs vary significantly by property size, location, heating fuel type and occupancy. Your actual EPC certificate shows estimated energy costs specific to your property -- always use the certificate figure rather than these estimates for any financial decision. Source: MHCLG EPC Register, Ofgem Q2 2026 price cap data. |
The difference in energy costs between a Band G home (£4,000+ a year) and a Band C home (around £900-£1,400 a year) can exceed £2,600 a year -- or over £200 a month. This is the financial case for EPC improvement, independent of any regulatory deadline. For landlords, the 2030 Band C requirement will make Band D, E, F and G properties unlettable without a registered exemption.
For properties rated Band E, F or G, the Warm Homes Plan (launched January 2026) provides grants and loans to cover improvement costs. The government's PS15bn commitment includes free insulation for low-income households and heat pump grants of up to PS7,500. Read the full Warm Homes Plan grants guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average EPC rating in England in 2026?
The median EPC score for existing homes in England is approximately 69, placing the average at the border of Band C and Band D, according to ONS data published in October 2025 covering the ten years to March 2025. London, the East of England and the South East have the highest median scores at 70. Yorkshire and the Humber has the lowest at 68.
What percentage of homes in England are below Band C?
Approximately 15% of all dwellings are rated Band E, F or G. In the private rented sector, around 52% of properties are currently below Band C -- over 2 million rented homes that will require upgrading before the October 2030 MEES deadline.
What are the new EPC rules for landlords from 2030?
From 1 October 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must have a valid EPC rating of at least Band C (SAP score 69+). Landlords who fail to comply face fines of up to PS30,000 per property. Some exemptions apply where the cost of improvements exceeds PS15,000.
Where can I find my property's EPC?
EPC certificates for properties in England and Wales are at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. Bulk data is at get-energy-performance-data.communities.gov.uk (the old epc.opendatacommunities.org was retired 30 May 2026).
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Primary Sources |
