EPC Rating G: What It Means and What to Do Next

An EPC rating of G means a property scored between 1 and 20 on the 1 to 100 energy efficiency scale. In short, it is the lowest band on the scale. You can still live in or sell a G-rated home. However, you cannot normally rent it out unless a valid exemption is registered.

This guide explains what a G means, why homes end up there, the rules for landlords, and how to move a home up to at least E. If you want to see your own rating first, our free EPC rating check takes a few seconds.

Where band G 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 too. For example, a home scoring 20 is one point away from an F. By contrast, a home scoring 5 has a very long way to go.

Even so, reaching F is not enough for landlords. A rented home needs at least an E, which starts at 39. So a G-rated rental usually needs a substantial improvement, not a small one.

Is an EPC rating of G bad?

Yes. A G is the poorest rating an EPC can give, and it means the home is very expensive to heat for its size. However, it says nothing about whether the house is safe, dry or well built. An EPC only measures energy efficiency, so it is not a survey.

Here is what a G means depending on who you are:

• Living in the home. No law makes you improve a home you live in. However, bills are likely to be high, and some rooms may be hard to keep warm.
• Selling. You can sell a G-rated home, because there is no minimum rating to sell. You do need a valid EPC before you market it, and buyers may use the rating to negotiate.
• Buying. A G means you should budget for significant work. Read the recommendations and the potential rating before you make an offer.
• Letting. A G is below the legal minimum. You cannot start or continue a tenancy unless a valid exemption is registered.

Why homes are rated G

A G rating rarely comes from one problem. Instead, it usually comes from a weak building and expensive heating together. The most common causes are:

• Old electric storage heaters, panel heaters or portable room heaters
• Hot water from an electric immersion heater with no timer
• A very old boiler, or no central heating at all
• Solid brick walls with no insulation
• Little or no loft insulation
• Single glazing throughout

Two G-rated homes can have very different causes. For example, a solid-wall house with a modern boiler loses heat through the walls and windows. Meanwhile, a well-insulated flat with old electric heating scores badly because of what the heating costs to run. So the right fix depends on what is pulling your score down, and your certificate will show you.

Missing evidence can also push a score down. If the assessor cannot see or confirm insulation, the software usually has to assume there is none. Therefore, keep any paperwork for past work ready for the visit.

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

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 typical G-rated home cost about £222 a month to run. That is about two and a half times as much as a home rated A to C, and about £92 a month more than a D. So even a move from G to D could make a large difference to bills.

Bear in mind that these are rough guides rather than a bill. They come from a standard model with typical heating habits and 2022 fuel prices. For a figure that fits your own home, look at the estimated energy costs on your certificate.

EPC G and landlords: what the law says

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, a privately rented home in England and Wales must reach at least band E. Since April 2020, this has applied to existing tenancies as well as new ones. So with a G, you cannot start a new tenancy or carry on an existing one unless a valid exemption is registered.

If you let a home below band E without an exemption, the council can fine you up to £5,000 per property. Exemptions must be registered on the government’s PRS Exemptions Register, with evidence. For a G-rated home, the most relevant ones are:

• High cost. Reaching E would cost more than £3,500 including VAT. Money spent since 1 October 2017 counts towards this. Because G-rated homes often need bigger work, this exemption applies more often than for F.
• All relevant improvements made. You have done everything suitable within the cost cap, and the home still cannot reach E.
• Consent refused. A tenant, freeholder or planning authority has refused permission for the work.

Other exemptions cover devaluation, wall insulation that would damage the property, and new landlords. Most last five years, none renews automatically, and they do not transfer if you sell.

Looking ahead, the government’s Warm Homes Plan confirmed that private rented homes must reach the equivalent of band C by 1 October 2030, with a spending cap of £10,000 per property. This is confirmed policy rather than law so far, so details could change. Even so, a G-rated rental is four bands short of that target. Our guide to EPC rules for landlords covers the standards, exemptions and penalties in full.

What to do if your home is rated G

A G is a starting point, not a final verdict. Follow these steps in order:

1. Check the certificate date. An EPC lasts 10 years. If yours is old, it may not show work done since, such as new heating or loft insulation.
2. Find out what is pulling the score down. Your certificate rates each part of the home, from walls and roof to heating and hot water. Look for the items marked very poor or poor.
3. Read the recommendations. They are listed in order, and they show roughly how each one could change the rating.
4. Fix the heating if it is the main problem. For homes with old electric heating, modern controls or a different heating system often make the biggest jump.
5. Insulate the building if that is the main problem. Loft insulation is usually the cheapest step. Wall insulation and better glazing cost more, but they can make a large difference.
6. 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.

Once a home reaches E, it can be let again. Our guides to EPC rating F and EPC rating E explain the next steps up.

Frequently asked questions

Is energy rating G good?

No. G is the lowest rating on the scale, so the home uses a lot of energy for its size. However, a G does not mean the home is unsafe, and there is often a clear route to improve it.

How much is EPC rating G per month?

There is no fixed figure, because bills depend on the home and how it is used. As a rough guide, the government’s English Housing Survey modelled average energy costs of about £222 a month for band G, compared with about £130 for band D and about £90 for homes rated A to C.

What does an EPC rating of G mean?

It means the home scored between 1 and 20 out of 100 for energy efficiency. In practice, the property is very expensive to heat, usually because of old or costly heating combined with little insulation.

Can you rent out a property with an EPC rating of G?

Not normally. Rented homes in England and Wales must reach at least band E. You can only let a G-rated home if a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.

Can I sell a house with an EPC rating of G?

Yes. There is no minimum rating to sell a home in England or Wales. You just need a valid EPC before you market it. Buyers will see the rating, so it helps to know what improving it would involve.

What is the difference between EPC band G and band F?

Band G covers scores from 1 to 20, while band F covers 21 to 38. Both are below the legal minimum for renting. In general, a G-rated home needs more work than an F to reach E.

How much does it cost to improve a G-rated home?

It depends on what is causing the low score. Loft insulation and heating controls are relatively cheap, while wall insulation or new heating cost much more. For landlords, the high-cost exemption applies if reaching E would cost more than £3,500 including VAT.

How do I know if my EPC is out of date?

Check the issue date on the certificate, because an EPC lasts 10 years from that date. Even within that time, it will not show improvements made after the visit. So if you have upgraded the home, a new assessment may show a better band.

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.