Atom bank study questions accuracy of EPC ratings
7 months ago | 7 comments
Call to impose EPC rules on landlords as tenants ration energy
10:00 AM, 16th September 2025, 7 months ago
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More than 4.5 million private renters in England and Wales, equivalent to 41% of the sector, had to limit their use of gas and electricity last winter to manage crippling energy costs, Citizens Advice reveals.
The charity says that 3.5 million renters, or one in three tenants in the PRS, found it challenging to maintain a warm home.
Many resorted to extreme measures such as missing hot meals, wearing gloves indoors or heating only a single room.
The organisation says the government must ‘urgently deliver promised new rules’ for landlords to upgrade properties to a minimum of EPC C by 2030.
Choose between heating and eating
Emily Wise, an energy adviser at Citizens Advice North Lancashire, said: “Sadly, this is an all too familiar story.
“Many of the renters we help day-to-day say their landlords are hesitant to fix the substandard conditions they live in.
“Leaky, cold and damp housing is a huge problem in our local area, as many homes are particularly deteriorated due to salty sea air and high winds.”
She added: “Too often, this is forcing renters to spend disproportionately on gas and electricity in an attempt to achieve basic levels of comfort, as well as having to regularly choose between eating and heating their homes.
“Despite this, many of those we help are reluctant to raise these issues with their landlords because they fear putting their tenancy at risk.”
Energy bills are higher
Citizens Advice says that with winter looming and energy prices remaining 50% higher than pre-2021 levels, tenants are struggling with poorly insulated homes.
It adds that more than half of renters (57%) occupy homes with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating below C, making them costly and difficult to heat.
Its research shows that tenants in homes with the minimum E rating faced an extra £317 on energy bills last winter, a cost that could have been avoided with an upgrade to a C rating.
The charity warns that delays to imposing tighter EPC rules will leave tenants stuck in uncomfortable and costly homes for years to come.
Tenants won’t ask landlords
The organisation also claims that many renters are hesitant to request essential repairs, such as better insulation or fixing draughty windows, because they fear rent rises or a strained relationship with their landlords.
Nearly a third (29%) avoid raising such concerns, while 13% of those who did request upgrades faced conditions like higher rent, and 7% were outright refused.
The charity is also calling for robust enforcement of the Renters’ Rights Bill to empower tenants to demand improvements without fear of repercussions.
It is also calling for financial support for landlords to ensure these upgrades are feasible.
Government must act on EPCs
The chief executive of Citizens Advice, Dame Clare Moriarty, said: “Our advisers are bracing for more calls this winter from renters trapped in cold, leaky homes.
“It’s unacceptable that so many tenants are afraid to ask for the very basics – like fixing draughty doors or replacing poor quality single-glazed windows.”
She adds: “By 2030, the government must ensure no renter lives in a home that is excessively difficult and expensive to heat.
“And renters must urgently be given the security they deserve so they can ask landlords to fix substandard housing without fear of retaliation.”
Tags:
citizens advice, cold homes, Energy Bills, energy efficiency, EPC C rating, heating costs, landlord epc 2030, Landlord regulations, poor insulation, renters, renters rights bill
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
4:00 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
be interesting to have two exact properties – one rated D the other C and see what the average utility consumption is listed on the EPC for each one.
What is the differences between the assessed average CONSUMPTION of gas and elec between the two.
Then use the standard variable rate for gas and elec (as it is now) to see what the COST difference is between the two.
I bet there is very little between a D and C rating, and certainly not enough costs saving to the apparent tenant to warrant what any potential cost of any upgrade is to get from a D to a C.
Anyone have two identical properties with differing EPC’s so this can be tested as an example?
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
4:10 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 16/09/2025 – 16:00
Atom bank just released some research to say that EPCs don’t make any difference to climate change. For anybody who missed that bit of news it’s here:
https://www.property118.com/atom-bank-study-questions-accuracy-of-epc-ratings/
Whilst I don’t know where the particular AI bot got the information from I just googled how much more EPC band C properties cost in rent compared to band D properties and got the answer:
“While there’s no fixed formula, properties with higher EPC ratings, usually C or above, can often charge an extra £50 to £150 per month in rent, depending on location and property type.”
Member Since October 2021 - Comments: 62
4:15 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
It’s a difficult topic, or flats are a D but we get good tent. They are fitted with several mod cons including under sink water heaters so no immersion going on every day. The cost and every savings of that are huge but did it make a jot of difference to EPC.. no,
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
5:27 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 16/09/2025 – 16:10
not bothered in the slightest about implications on climate change. That’s all bull…
All I intend to do is show the T what it is going to cost them if they want me to get to a C. The govt has understood that ‘betterment’ has to be paid for and confirmed the result will be higher rents.
My job to educate T to make their own choice. The person who pays the rent makes the final decision.
Possible disruption (I may need to serve notice if the works are significant), a smaller property (if internal wall insulation installed) and another EPC cert. All costs to be factored in.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 1999
5:41 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 16/09/2025 – 17:27
I know and I agree: Stopping tenants from being able to rent out properties below band C doesn’t do anything for tenants because it is likely to raise rents or result in tenants being evicted. It probably isn’t going to do much for their total energy and rent bill.
If the government wants to do something about tenants’ energy bills it ought to bring down taxes on electricity.
Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 4
7:27 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
It is sad to see a system of Governance where the Government has failed to meet the needs of the people but rather finger pointing at Landlords in private sector as the cause of the problems faced by renters.
Why has the Government failed to take ownership for their failings, being the cause of the current problems in the housing market with the sudden hikes in interest rate which impacted the Landlords in meeting their expenses and renters feeling the hikes.
Unfortunately, private Landlords are the Government’ easy target, to divert the renters attention from the actual sources of the problems in the rental market, which is the Government.
Member Since October 2024 - Comments: 188
7:31 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 16/09/2025 – 11:19
You aew right. The government is at fault as they dont have any idea how to face these issues with the energy companies.
Tehy should tackle it with the energy companies to subsidise everyone, so lower fuel bills for all. Even landlords suuffer as they cannot afford heating their own homes.
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 174
7:48 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Suspicious Steve at 16/09/2025 – 11:29
I don’t understand how we have been paying these green levies for decades the purpose was to redesign the infrastructure i.e. change over to wind power etc. but where has our money been spent? We have lots of green countryside and I don’t see any wind turbines and yet the farmers were getting paid to meadow their fields. Pit some wind turbines there. I know we have them in the North Sea but obviously not enough. So where has our money gone. We are paying way more than other European country’s for our electricity. Drive through France and you will see thousands of wind turbines which look magnificent and mesmerising. Their electricity bills are dirt cheap. How did they manage without paying the massive bills we pay?
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
8:59 PM, 16th September 2025, About 7 months ago
worse case scenario we all get to a C. Some tenants will be evicted as a direct result and some LL’s will sell up.
Rental supply will decrease further so
Those properties that remain for rent – tenants will have to pay for the C standard through higher rent ( because ‘market rate’ will have risen as a direct consequence by default).
The demand for C’s will increase from the lenders too, so FTB’s will also pay for the hold grail of Eco ratings it seems…
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3237 - Articles: 81
7:03 AM, 17th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by moneymanager at 16/09/2025 – 13:03
Except tenant allowed to be an adult when it comes to UC & DWP paying tenant £1000’s a year for Housing Element rent which they not handing over to Landlord.