Update: New Energy Performance Certificate Rules for Landlords

The UK government has launched a consultation on how Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) should be calculated under a new system called the Home Energy Model (HEM). This consultation sets out proposals for updating the way EPCs are produced so they give better, more accurate information about how energy-efficient homes really are.

The consultation opened on 21 January 2026 and is open for responses until 18 March 2026. Anyone can respond, but it is expected to be of particular interest to professionals in building, retrofit, energy assessment, and product manufacturing.

Why This Consultation Matters

Right now, EPCs are based on the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and its reduced data version (RdSAP), which estimate energy performance based largely on cost and basic building attributes. The government wants to replace or augment this approach with the Home Energy Model, which uses new metrics to assess how homes perform across multiple areas such as:

• Fabric performance (walls, insulation, windows)

• Heating systems

• Smart energy readiness

• Energy cost estimates for households

These metrics would then be “translated” into EPC scores and bands that are clearer and more useful to consumers and professionals.

The aim is for EPCs to be easier to understand and more reflective of real-world performance — supporting homeowners and renters in making homes warmer and cheaper to run, as well as helping the UK meet its net zero by 2050 and fuel poverty reduction goals.

What the Consultation Asks

The consultation specifically seeks views on:

• How the HEM methodology should be used to generate EPC assessments

• How the new headline metrics should be calculated

• How those metrics should translate into an EPC rating and advice for improvement

This feedback will help shape the final design of the Home Energy Model and the way EPCs will work under the new system.

Who Should Respond

The government says anyone can respond, but this will be especially relevant for people and businesses involved in:

• Retrofit and construction

• Energy assessment and certification

• Building product manufacturing

• Housing and property services

How It Ties Into Wider Energy and Housing Policy

This consultation is part of a wider set of reforms to how the performance of buildings is measured and communicated. It builds on previous consultations and government responses on energy performance standards, including changes aimed at improving efficiency in the private rented sector and lowering household energy costs.

The Home Energy Model is seen as a next-generation methodology that could eventually replace SAP/RdSAP and be used across building regulations and EPCs alike.

How to Take Part

Anyone can submit feedback through the government’s consultation platform or by emailing the Home Energy Model team. Details are provided on the consultation page on the government website.