Landlord learning

EPC – Important Landlord regulation change

After a consultation in December 2020, the government announced changes to the minimum energy efficiency standards for England and Wales.

By 2025 all UK landlords will need to ensure that to legally let out their property, they will need an EPC rating of “C” or above. 

Similar to the previous changes over the last few years, the new regulations will be introduced for new tenancies first, followed by all tenancies from 2028.

What does this mean for you?

Simply check your EPC certificate by logging into The Portal (drakerportal.co.uk) and clicking into “certificates and compliance”.  If you have a rating of C or above, you will not need to do anything.

If you have a rating of D or below, an energy assessor will need to come and advise you as to the minimum works you will need to carry out to hit the rating of C.

We advise organising an energy assessor as soon as possible to give you lots of time, just in case the works that you need are more significant.

Examples of works needed can range from changing lightbulbs and minor improvements to insulation right through to upgrading your boiler and double glazing. 

But don’t worry, the government have capped the amount that a landlord will need to spend.  Energy performance investment is currently capped at £3,500 for landlords, but as the higher EPC rating will require a greater investment, the cap will be raised to £10,000. The government estimate that on average the improvement needed to reach an EPC rating of “C” will cost landlords around £4,700. Landlords are encouraged to apply for the Green Homes Grant, which will fund at least two-thirds of the cost of hiring tradespeople to upgrade the energy performance of their PRS properties up to a contribution of £5,000.