With new energy efficiency standards on the horizon, now is a good time for letting agents and landlords to review their rental properties and plan ahead.
The government plans to raise the minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented homes in England and Wales, with a target of 1 October 2030 for properties to meet EPC C or an equivalent standard.
More than 1.8 million privately rented homes across England and Wales currently have an EPC rating below C, For landlords, this could mean budgeting for improvements. For letting agents, it means helping landlords understand the changes, identify properties that may need attention and keep track of what needs to be done.
Jump to:
What do landlords need to know about the 2030 deadline?
The government’s announced plans would require privately rented homes to meet a higher energy efficiency standard of C or equivalent by 1 October 2030.
There is also a transition arrangement of properties with an EPC rating of C or above certified before 1 October 2029 are planned to count as compliant until that EPC expires or is replaced.
At a glance:
- The target date: 1 October 2030, under the government’s announced plans.
- The spending cap: Up to ÂŁ10,000 per property on qualifying improvements in most cases.
- The first step: Review each property’s EPC rating and recommendations.
- The role of letting agents: Help landlords prioritise properties, plan ahead and keep records up to date.
These are the government’s announced plans for England and Wales. Check the latest official guidance before making decisions about individual properties.
How can I check my portfolio’s EPC ratings?
Before planning improvements, landlords need to know which properties may be affected.
You can check a property’s current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) using the official government service: Find an energy certificate on GOV.UK
Search by property address or postcode to find an available certificate and view its recommendations.
For letting agents managing multiple properties, it can help to create a simple spreadsheet or portfolio tracker with:
- Property address
- Current EPC rating
- Certificate expiry date
- Recommended improvements
- Estimated costs and quotes
- Planned work and completion dates
This gives your team a clearer picture of which properties need attention first and makes it easier to discuss next steps with landlords.
How many rental properties could be affected?
EPC ratings vary across England and Wales, so understanding the local picture can help agents start conversations with landlords.
The figures below show the estimated share of privately rented homes currently rated below EPC C in each region.
|
Region |
% of privately rented homes below EPC C |
|
Wales |
61% |
|
Yorkshire and the Humber |
59% |
|
West Midlands |
58% |
|
East Midlands |
58% |
|
North West |
54% |
|
South West |
54% |
|
East of England |
53% |
|
South East |
51% |
|
North East |
51% |
|
London |
46% |
Source: EPC Deadline – regional EPC data. Figures are estimates based on the latest available EPC data published by the site and may change as certificates are updated. England and Wales only.
What does this mean for letting agents?
If you manage properties in areas where a high proportion of rentals are below EPC C, reviewing your portfolio sooner could help you identify potential work and discuss budgets before the deadline gets closer.
What is the ÂŁ10,000 spending cap?
Under the government’s announced plans, landlords will generally be expected to spend up to £10,000 per property on qualifying energy efficiency improvements to meet the new standard.
This is a spending cap, not a grant.
The government estimates that the average investment needed will be around ÂŁ5,400 per property.
If a property still does not meet the required standard after the applicable spending cap has been reached, the landlord may be able to register a cost-cap exemption, subject to the rules.
There is also a planned lower spending cap for properties valued below £100,000, based on 10% of the property’s value.
One useful detail: qualifying improvement costs incurred from 1 October 2025 can count towards the future cap, subject to the rules. Landlords should keep invoices and supporting evidence for work already completed.
Read the government’s full response on improving energy performance in privately rented homes.
How can letting agents help landlords prepare?
Preparing for the deadline is about more than arranging improvements. A clear process can help agents manage information, keep landlords informed and avoid leaving everything until the last minute.
Communicate changes early
Explain the planned requirements to landlords and let them know which properties may need further investigation. Make it clear that recommendations and costs will vary from property to property.
Review and prioritise your portfolio
Review your current properties ratings and start with properties that have lower EPC ratings or recommendations for significant improvements. Check certificate expiry dates and flag properties that may need a new assessment.
Get quotes and plan budgets
Encourage landlords to explore costs early and compare quotes from appropriately qualified professionals. Where practical, suitable work may be easier to schedule within void periods, helping reduce disruption for tenants.
Keep records up to date
Store EPC certificates, assessments, quotes, invoices, planned improvements and evidence of completed work in one place. Make sure any relevant exemptions are recorded and reviewed when necessary.
Check the latest guidance before arranging major work
The government plans to introduce new EPC metrics. Before committing to expensive improvements, landlords should check the property's recommendations and seek appropriate professional advice.
One upgrade will not necessarily make every property compliant, so decisions should be based on the property itself and the requirements in force at the time.
How will energy efficiency be measured in the future?
The government plans to reform EPCs so they provide more information about different aspects of a property's energy performance.
In simple terms, the new approach will look at how well a home keeps heat in, how efficiently it is heated and whether it meets the relevant standard for smart energy technology.
|
Measure |
What does it mean? |
|
Fabric performance |
How well the property keeps heat in through its walls, roof, floors and windows. |
|
Heating system |
How efficiently the property heats the home. |
|
Smart readiness |
How well the property can make use of smart energy technology. |
|
Energy costs |
The estimated cost of running the property. |
Under the announced plans, landlords will need to meet the required fabric performance standard first, followed by the required standard for either heating system performance or smart readiness.
The energy-cost measure will provide additional information but is not one of those two compliance requirements.
The exact standards and how they apply to individual properties should be checked against the latest government guidance.
Where can my landlords find more help?
You don’t have to work everything out from one article. These official resources can help agents and landlords understand the requirements, assess properties and explore potential improvements.
Check the rules
- Government guidance on MEES for domestic private rented properties – explains the current rules, exemptions and landlord responsibilities.
- Government response on the 2030 energy efficiency plans – sets out the announced changes, including the deadline and spending cap.
Check a property
- Find an energy certificate – look up a property’s EPC and recommendations.
- Find ways to save energy on GOV.UK – explore potential improvements, indicative costs and estimated savings.
Explore possible funding
- Find energy grants and schemes on GOV.UK – check the available schemes and their eligibility requirements.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant – find out whether eligible properties in England may qualify for improvements through the local authority scheme. Eligibility conditions apply, and funding is not guaranteed.
Always check the eligibility criteria and availability of any funding before including it in a landlord’s budget.
Get ahead of the 2030 deadline
The planned changes give letting agents an opportunity to help landlords take a more organised approach to property improvements.
Start by checking your portfolio, identifying properties that may need attention and keeping records of assessments, costs and completed work.
A little planning now can make it easier to understand what needs doing, budget for improvements and work towards the 2030 deadline.