New requirement will be for any properties rented out in the private rented sector from the 1st April 2018 . Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has to be a minimum rating of E. The regulations will come into force for new lets and renewals of tenancies with effect from 1st April 2018 and for all existing tenancies on 1st April 2020. It will be unlawful to rent a property which breaches the requirement, unless there is an applicable exemption.