EPC Rating D: What It Means and Is It Bad?

An EPC rating of D means a property scored between 55 and 68 on the 1 to 100 energy efficiency scale. In short, it is an average rating, not a bad one. It is legal to sell, buy or rent out a D-rated home today. However, a D costs more to run than a C, and landlords will need to improve it before 2030.

This guide explains where band D sits, what it costs to run, what it means for landlords, and how to move a home up to C. If you want to see your own rating first, our free EPC rating check takes a few seconds.

Where band D sits on the scale

Every EPC gives a home a letter and a score. The letter is just a summary of the score, so the number matters more than most people think. For example, a home scoring 68 is one point away from a C. By contrast, a home scoring 55 is one point away from an E, which our guide to EPC rating E explains.

Both homes carry the same letter, yet they face very different jobs. So before you decide anything, check the score printed next to the letter on your certificate.

Is an EPC rating of D bad?

No. Band D is close to the middle of the scale, and it is very common in older homes. Many houses built before the 1980s sit in band D simply because they were built before modern insulation rules.

The Office for National Statistics found that the typical home in England scores 69, which is just inside band C. In Wales, the typical score is 68, which is just inside band D. So a D-rated home is a little below average in England and about average in Wales.

That said, average is not the same as good. A D-rated home usually loses more heat than it needs to, and that shows up on the energy bills. Here is what a D means depending on who you are:

• Selling. A D will not stop a sale. There is no minimum rating to sell a home, but you do need a valid EPC before you market it.
• Buying. A D suggests there is room to improve. The certificate’s recommendations show where to start and roughly what each step could achieve.
• Letting. A D meets today’s legal minimum. However, it is not expected to meet the 2030 standard, which we cover below.
• Staying put. The question is comfort and running costs rather than rules. Draughty rooms and high bills are signs that a few changes could pay off.

Why so many older homes are rated D

The score looks at how well a home holds heat and how efficiently it is heated. It does not judge how modern or well kept the home looks. As a result, a freshly decorated house can still score a D.

Two or three of these features usually hold a home in band D:

• Solid brick walls with no insulation, which is common in homes built before the 1920s
• Cavity walls that were never filled
• Thin loft insulation, or none in parts of the roof
• An older boiler that burns more fuel than a modern one
• Single glazing, or early double glazing that has lost its seal
• Basic heating controls with no room thermostat or radiator valves

The type of home matters too. Flats often score higher, because the homes around them help keep heat in. On the other hand, detached houses have more outside walls, so they tend to score lower.

EPC rating D monthly cost: what a D-rated home costs to run

A D-rated home costs noticeably more to heat than a C-rated home of the same size. The government’s English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023 energy report models average energy costs by band. Here is how the bands compare:

EPC band	Average a year	Average a month
A to C	£1,081	about £90
D	£1,561	about £130
G	£2,662	about £222

In other words, a D-rated home cost about £40 a month more to run than a home in bands A to C, on these figures. That adds up to around £480 a year. The report does not give separate averages for bands E and F, but they fall between D and G.

However, treat these as rough guides rather than a bill. They come from a standard model that assumes typical heating habits and 2022 fuel prices. Your real costs will depend on the size of the home, how you heat it and what you pay for energy.

For a figure that fits your own home, look at your certificate. It estimates the property’s energy costs, and it also shows what they could be after the suggested improvements.

EPC D and landlords: legal now, but not for long

Today, a rented home in England and Wales must reach at least band E, unless a valid exemption is registered. So a D-rated rental is legal to let right now.

Looking ahead, the government’s Warm Homes Plan, published on 21 January 2026, confirmed that private rented homes must reach the equivalent of band C by 1 October 2030. This covers new and existing tenancies, so a D-rated rental will need work. The spending cap is £10,000 per property, and eligible work paid for since 1 October 2025 counts towards it.

Bear in mind that this is confirmed policy rather than law so far. The regulations still have to go through Parliament, so details could change.

Even so, there is a good reason to act early. A property that reaches band C on its current rating before 1 October 2029 is intended to count as compliant until that certificate expires. After that date, homes will be measured in a new way. Therefore, a D-rated rental near the top of the band may be worth improving sooner rather than later. Our guide to EPC rules for landlords covers the standards, exemptions and penalties in full.

How to improve an EPC rating from D to C

For many homes, D to C is a realistic step. Often, a few well-chosen improvements are enough, especially for a home near the top of band D.

Follow these steps in order:

1. Check your score. Find your certificate and note the exact score. A 66 needs far less work than a 56.
2. Read the recommendations. Your certificate lists suggested measures in order, and it shows roughly how each one could change the rating.
3. Start with the cheaper gains. Topping up loft insulation, draught-proofing and switching to LED lighting cost little. For some homes, they are enough on their own.
4. Move on to bigger measures if needed. Filling cavity walls, fitting a modern condensing boiler or adding better heating controls usually make a larger difference.
5. Get a new EPC. Your old certificate will not update by itself. Once the work is done, a new assessment is the only way to show the better rating.

The cost depends on your starting point. According to the English Housing Survey, it costs around £7,400 on average to bring a home up to band C. Still, a home near the top of band D may need far less. Our guide to EPC rating C explains what you are aiming for.

Frequently asked questions

Is an EPC rating of D good?

It is average rather than good or bad. A D is common in older homes, and it is legal for selling and letting today. However, a D-rated home usually costs more to heat than a C, and it is not expected to meet the 2030 standard for private rented homes.

What does it mean if an EPC rating is D?

It means the home scored between 55 and 68 out of 100 for energy efficiency. In practice, the property loses more heat than a modern home, often because of older insulation, glazing or heating.

Can you let a property with an EPC rating of D?

Yes, for now. Currently, rented homes in England and Wales must reach at least band E. The government has confirmed that private rented homes must reach the equivalent of band C by 1 October 2030, but this still has to become law.

Is EPC rating D expensive to run?

It costs more than a C, but less than an E, F or G. As a rough guide, the government’s English Housing Survey modelled average energy costs of about £130 a month for band D, compared with about £90 for homes rated A to C.

How much could I save by moving from D to C?

On the English Housing Survey figures, about £40 a month, or around £480 a year. However, your own saving depends on the property and on what you pay for energy. Your certificate shows estimated costs before and after the recommended improvements, which is a better guide for your home.

How do I increase my EPC from D to C?

Start with the recommendations on your certificate. Loft insulation, draught-proofing and LED lighting are the cheapest gains. Filling cavity walls, a modern boiler and better heating controls usually make a bigger difference. Afterwards, you will need a new EPC to show the improved rating.

Does a D rating affect selling a house?

It will not stop a sale, because there is no minimum rating to sell. Even so, buyers may compare running costs, and a home close to band C can be a stronger selling point.

My EPC is old. Could my home be a C now?

Possibly. An EPC records the home on the day of the visit and lasts 10 years. So if you have added insulation, a new boiler or better windows since then, a fresh assessment may show a higher rating. Assessment methods change too, so a new rating is never guaranteed to be higher.

To learn more about the full scale, read EPC ratings explained, or browse all our EPC guides. Most domestic EPCs cost £60 to £120, and our guide to how much an EPC costs explains why. With us, an EPC costs £69 for up to 3 bedrooms or £79 for 4 bedrooms. If you already know you need an assessment, you can book an EPC assessment now.