Do Holiday Lets Need an EPC Certificate?
Most Devon holiday let owners need an EPC, even if the strict legal position is less clear-cut than for long-term rentals. Airbnb and Sykes Cottages both require one. Most letting agents ask for it as a condition of management. With government policy moving toward mandatory EPCs for all short-term lets, getting one now avoids a rushed assessment when the rules tighten.
Last reviewed: June 2026. EPC rules are subject to change by government policy. Always check current government guidance for the most up-to-date requirements.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It is produced by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor who visits the property and records details about insulation, heating systems, windows and hot water. The assessment takes around 45 minutes for a typical holiday let.
The certificate is valid for ten years. It includes the current rating, a potential rating if recommended improvements were made, and estimated energy costs. It does not involve any testing of gas or electrical systems. It is purely an energy efficiency assessment.
The EPC rules for holiday lets
For long-term residential rental properties in England, an EPC is a clear legal requirement before marketing. Holiday lets occupy a grey area. Properties let for short-term occupation, typically fewer than four months per year, may fall outside the residential letting requirement. But the practical reality for most Devon holiday let owners is different.
In practice, most owners need an EPC because:
- Listing platforms such as Airbnb and Sykes Cottages increasingly require EPC evidence.
- Most letting agents require a current EPC as a condition of management.
- The government has proposed closing the holiday let exemption, with changes expected from H2 2026.
- An EPC provides useful evidence if energy efficiency is queried by a local authority or insurer.
- Properties that are also occupied as a second home may be in scope under different rules.
When is an EPC required for a holiday let?
| Situation | EPC Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Listed on Airbnb, Sykes, or similar platform | Yes | Platform requirement |
| Managed by a letting agent | Yes | Usually required as condition of management |
| Direct let, under 4 months per year | Possibly not | Recommended regardless; proposed rule change from H2 2026 |
| Also occupied as second home | Usually yes | May be in scope under different rules |
| New build or recent conversion | Yes | |
| On the market for sale | Yes |
2026 rule change: what's proposed
The government's consultation published in June 2026 proposes mandatory EPCs for all short-term let properties, removing the current four-months-per-year exemption. Changes are expected from the second half of 2026, though nothing has been confirmed in law at the time of writing. If you currently let directly and rely on the exemption, arrange an EPC assessment now rather than wait for the rule to change.
What EPC rating do holiday lets need?
Private rented residential properties in England currently require a minimum E rating. Holiday lets are not currently subject to the same minimum standard. However, government policy is moving toward a C rating for all rental properties. For the private rented sector, a C-rating requirement for new tenancies has been consulted on with a target date of 2030.
Many Devon holiday lets, particularly older stone-built cottages and moorland properties, rate D or E due to their construction. A D or E rating is common and not currently a barrier to letting. The key point is to know your rating now so that any improvement works can be planned and budgeted ahead of any regulatory change, rather than as a rushed response when a deadline arrives.
Current requirement
No minimum EPC rating applies specifically to holiday lets at the time of writing. The E-rating minimum applies to long-term residential rentals. Holiday let owners should monitor government policy, as the direction is toward C for all letting.
Why D or E matters now
Improving from D to C typically involves loft insulation, double glazing or a boiler upgrade. For older Devon properties, costs vary widely. Knowing your current rating gives you time to get quotes and schedule work on your own terms, not under pressure.
How to check if your property already has an EPC
Search the government's EPC register by postcode at gov.uk. All registered EPCs for England and Wales are listed there. You can view the rating, the date of issue, the expiry date, and the recommended improvements.
An EPC is valid for ten years. If your certificate was issued in 2015 or earlier it needs renewing. If no EPC appears for your property, one has either never been issued or was not registered, and you should arrange an assessment before listing on any platform or signing a management agreement.
If significant energy-related improvements have been made to the property since the last assessment, such as new insulation, double glazing or a replacement boiler, a new assessment may produce a better rating and is worth arranging regardless of the expiry date.
EPC as part of your wider compliance picture
An EPC is not a safety certificate. It does not replace your CP12, EICR, fire risk assessment or PAT testing records. But it sits alongside these as part of the documentation any competent holiday let owner should have in order, especially as regulatory requirements continue to evolve.
The practical approach is to track your EPC renewal date alongside your other compliance certificates. A ten-year certificate issued in 2018 needs renewing in 2028. It is easy to lose track of when you are focused on annual gas safety checks and pre-season changeovers.
Acacia Property Care tracks EPC expiry alongside CP12, EICR and fire safety certificates for properties across Devon. Ask about including this in your compliance arrangement.
Related compliance pages
Common questions
Do holiday lets legally require an EPC?
Most Devon holiday let owners need an EPC in practice, even if the strict statutory position is less clear-cut than for long-term rentals. Properties let for fewer than four months per year may fall outside the residential letting requirement, but Airbnb and Sykes Cottages both require an EPC, and most letting agents ask for one as a condition of management. With government consultation proposing to remove the short-term let exemption from the second half of 2026, the practical answer for most owners is yes.
What EPC rating do holiday lets need?
Holiday lets are not currently subject to the same minimum EPC rating as residential rentals, which require a minimum E. However, the government's trajectory is toward C for all rental properties, with a 2030 deadline proposed for the private rented sector. Many Devon stone cottages and moorland properties rate D or E due to their construction. Knowing your rating now means any improvement works can be planned and budgeted ahead of a regulatory deadline rather than as a rushed response to it.
How long does an EPC last?
An EPC is valid for ten years from the date of issue. If your holiday let has not had an EPC in the last ten years, or if no certificate appears when you search the government's EPC register, it will need a new assessment. An EPC issued in 2015 or earlier needs renewing.
Who carries out an EPC assessment?
EPCs are carried out by accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs). The assessment takes around 45 minutes for a typical holiday let. Acacia Property Care does not carry out EPC assessments directly, but we can coordinate one as part of a compliance visit and ensure the resulting certificate is stored alongside your other compliance records.
How does an EPC fit with my other holiday let compliance checks?
Your EPC sits alongside your CP12 (gas safety), EICR (electrical safety), fire risk assessment and PAT testing records as part of your overall compliance picture. It is not a safety certificate and does not replace any of these, but it is part of the documentation a competent holiday let owner should have in order. Acacia tracks EPC expiry dates alongside all other compliance certificates for properties we manage.
What are the new EPC rules for holiday lets in 2026?
The government's consultation published in June 2026 proposes that mandatory EPCs apply to all short-term let properties, removing the current exemption for properties let for fewer than four months per year. The proposed changes are expected to take effect from the second half of 2026, though nothing has been confirmed in law at the time of writing. The minimum rating for the private rented sector (currently E) would apply initially, with the long-term trajectory toward C by 2030. If you currently rely on the four-months exemption, arrange an assessment now rather than wait for the rule to change.
Important
The information provided on this page is for general guidance only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice.
Compliance requirements can vary depending on property type, location, and individual circumstances. You should always confirm obligations with the appropriate qualified professional or relevant authority.
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