The government has started consulting on plans to force landlords to upgrade their property to the lowest EPC band C by 2030.
The minister claims it will cut tenants' energy bills by £240 a year, freeing 500,000 households from fuel poverty. 
“For too long, we've had too many tenants suffering from tinsel and poor conditions,” said Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who has been part of the workers' “warm homes and cheap bills” initiative. Measures have been announced.
The law includes a cost cap of £15,000 per property, but research by Benham and Reeves suggests that the upgrade costs landowners an average of £7,396 per property and £7,807 in London. Because it is, it may not be of much use. There is a low £10,000 cap, but only for those properties in the low rent or council tax band.
Currently, 48% of private rental housing already meet EPC C standards. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the change would “ensure that all private property is invested in their property and that many people are based on a good job of upgrading their homes.”
Before making any improvements, many landlords may want to first see what comes out of the government EPC consultation. It will be implemented until February 26, 2025, and the recommendation will be implemented in the second half of 2026.
Industry reaction
Ben Beadle, CEO of the National Association of Residential Landlords
“We all want to make our rental homes as energy efficient as possible, but we need realistic plans to achieve that.
“The chronic shortage of merchants to carry out energy-efficient tasks must be addressed, along with a targeted financial package to support investment in the necessary tasks that the committee on fuel poverty and citizen advice seeks. .
“The important thing is that if 2.5 million private rental housing is now improved that does not meet the government's proposed standards, a realistic schedule is required.”
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns for Propertymark
“This consultation and proposals to extend minimum energy efficiency standards for the UK and Wales private rental sector have long been anticipated.
“But (the minister) must realize that it's not about fighting landlords and people with climate change, which is why our housing sector faces adaptation and requires improvements in an affordable way. It is to create realistic, achievable energy efficiency targets that acknowledge the challenges faced in improving.
“The landlord is part of the solution, but the UK government must listen and support as a housing provider. Otherwise, alongside appropriate and sustainable grant funding, the property will be It just means they can't rent, and tenants lose out if there's demand for rental properties nationwide.”
Daryl Nockett, director of Shawbrook real estate proposals.
“There is hope and hope that the changes to the rules will provide a more accurate assessment of the improvements made to older properties, with the latest consultations on EPC rates.
“In current systems, many of these properties are effectively excluded from achieving higher EPC ratings, even for major upgrades. Modernized rules are the ones that are generally more energy efficient. “We should aim to encourage and reward progress, including the adoption of greener heating solutions, which are essential to promote.”
Rob Wall, assistant director of the British Real Estate Federation
“Every real estate in the private rental sector will challenge ourselves to achieve EPC C by 2030.
“We want to see the perception of lost time through a more gentle trajectory, providing enough time and support to the sector to accomplish the necessary work.”
Please read the details of the consultation.
