EPC Exemptions: Which Properties Don’t Need an EPC?
Most properties in England and Wales need a valid Energy Performance Certificate when they are sold or let — but not all of them. A limited number of property types qualify for EPC exemptions, and knowing whether yours is one of them can save you time, money and unnecessary paperwork. This guide explains which properties are exempt, what is changing in 2026, and — importantly — the difference between being exempt from needing an EPC at all and registering a MEES exemption as a landlord. If you’re unsure where your property stands, we’re happy to advise.
An important warning: exemptions are rarely automatic
Before the list, one thing worth stressing, because it catches people out. Falling into one of the categories below does not automatically mean you are exempt — in most cases you have to be able to demonstrate it, and for some categories you must formally register the exemption. Assuming you are exempt when you are not can lead to fines and delays when you come to sell or let. When in doubt, it is cheaper to check than to guess.
Which properties are exempt from needing an EPC?
The following property types may be exempt from requiring an EPC when sold or let:
- Temporary buildings (planned use of two years or less). Site offices, pop-up units and other structures put up for a fixed short-term purpose.
- Stand-alone buildings under 50m². Detached buildings with less than 50 square metres of useful floor area that are not intended to be sold or let — small workshops, garages and garden offices, for example.
- Low-energy industrial and non-residential agricultural buildings. Workshops, warehouses, factories and farm buildings that use very little energy for heating or lighting.
- Buildings due to be demolished. Where you can evidence that the building is to be demolished and hold the relevant planning permission and consents.
- Places of worship. Churches, mosques, temples and other buildings used primarily for worship.
- Some holiday and short-term lets — but this is changing. Historically, properties let as holiday accommodation for under four months a year could be exempt. Note this is tightening: under the 2026 EPC reforms, short-term and holiday lets are being brought into scope and will need a valid EPC regardless of who pays the energy bills. If you run a holiday let in Kent, do not assume the old exemption still protects you — check the current position.
- Listed and heritage buildings — but the exemption is being removed. Listed buildings were historically exempt where energy improvements would unacceptably alter their character. This exemption is confirmed to be removed under the 2026 reforms (expected in the second half of 2027), so listed-property owners should plan on the basis that an EPC will be needed. See our dedicated guide for the detail.
When is an EPC not required?
Put simply, an EPC is not required where a property is not being sold or let, or where it falls into one of the exempt categories above and you can evidence it. A valid existing EPC also means you do not need a new one — EPCs last 10 years, and the same certificate can be reused for a subsequent sale or letting while it remains valid, unless the property has changed materially. If you are not transacting the property at all, you do not need an EPC simply to own or live in it.
EPC exemption vs MEES exemption — they are not the same thing
1. Exempt from needing an EPC
This is what the list above covers — the property does not require an EPC at all when sold or let. This is rare, and mostly applies to unusual property types.
2. A MEES exemption (for landlords)
This is different. Here the property does have an EPC, but its rating is below the minimum standard a landlord must meet to let it legally (currently Band E, rising to Band C by 2030). Rather than being unable to let it, the landlord can register a MEES exemption — for example where the cost of improvements would exceed the cost cap, or where consent for necessary works has been refused. A MEES exemption must be evidenced and formally registered on the PRS Exemptions Register, and most types last five years and are not permanent.
In short: an EPC exemption means no certificate is needed; a MEES exemption means you have a certificate but are permitted to let despite a low rating. If you’re a landlord, the MEES route is almost always the one that applies to you.
How do I register an EPC or MEES exemption?
For landlords needing a MEES exemption, the exemption must be registered on the government’s PRS Exemptions Register, with the supporting evidence for the type of exemption you’re claiming. Exemptions are not permanent — most last five years, after which you must reassess and, if the position has changed, comply or re-register. Because the evidence requirements are specific and the rules are tightening as the Band C deadline approaches, it’s worth getting an accurate EPC — and ideally a Draft EPC modelling your options — before deciding whether to improve the property or register an exemption.
Why it pays to check rather than assume
Understanding your position helps you avoid two costly mistakes: paying for a certificate you didn’t need, or — far more common — assuming you were exempt when you weren’t, then facing delays or penalties at the point of sale or letting. With the 2026 reforms removing the listed-building exemption and bringing holiday lets into scope, several categories that owners have relied on for years are changing. If your property is unusual — a listed home, a holiday let, a small outbuilding, a place of worship, or something scheduled for demolition — it’s worth confirming your position with an accredited assessor before you assume.
Not sure whether your property is exempt?
Hive EPCs is a small, local, Quidos-accredited team based in Herne Bay, covering the whole of Kent. If you’re unsure whether your property needs an EPC, qualifies for an exemption, or — as a landlord — should register a MEES exemption, we’re happy to give you a straight answer. Call us on 01304 626457 or use our quote form, and ask us anything.
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