EPC ratings A–G explained
Every EPC carries a letter band and the SAP score behind it. The band is just the score in a bracket — and the brackets are not evenly spaced.
Band A · SAP 92–100
The top band. Rare outside new build and deep retrofit.
Band B · SAP 81–91
Modern and efficient. Common in new build flats and houses.
Band C · SAP 69–80
The standard every private rented home must reach by 2030.
Band D · SAP 55–68
The most common band in England & Wales. One step short of the 2030 standard.
Band E · SAP 39–54
The current legal minimum for letting. Nothing to spare.
Band F · SAP 21–38
Below the legal minimum for letting without a registered exemption.
Band G · SAP 1–20
The lowest band. Below the legal minimum for letting.
Where the bands bite
Two thresholds matter in England & Wales. Band E is the minimum a private rented home must reach today. Band C is the minimum from 1 October 2030. Everything else is information for buyers, tenants and lenders.
Band D is the most common rating on the register, and it sits one step below the 2030 standard — which is why the landlord 2030 checker matters to so many properties.
Common questions
What is a good EPC rating?
Band C or better. It is the standard rented homes must reach by 2030, and the point at which running costs stop being a talking point in a sale.
Why is the band different from the score?
The score is the underlying 1–100 figure; the band is the bracket it falls in. A score of 68 and a score of 55 are both band D, but they are a long way apart.