Government U-turn as Warm Homes Plan sets EPC C deadline for 2030
3 months ago | 34 comments
Council fines landlords £5,000 over poor EPC ratings
12:01 AM, 17th February 2026, 2 months ago
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A council has targeted more than 550 private rented properties rated EPC F or G and issued £5,000 fines.
Wandsworth council says it has contacted more than 150 private landlords whose properties fail to meet energy-efficiency standards.
Under government rules, it is currently illegal to rent out properties rated EPC F or G without a valid exemption.
Improve living conditions for tenants
The council claim they have issued five financial penalties of £5,000 to landlords who failed to comply with EPC standards.
In one case, a landlord in Balham was fined £5,000 after ignoring a compliance notice and failing to register a valid exemption.
In another case, a property in Battersea was initially let with an EPC G rating. Following council intervention, managing agents installed roof insulation. Although the agents argued that certain improvements, such as a new boiler, were the tenant’s responsibility under the regulated tenancy, the council issued a £4,000 penalty for non-compliance, which has since been paid.
A follow-up visit confirmed that insulation had been installed above the main living areas.
Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Our enforcement work is already making a real difference for residents who have been living in cold, inefficient homes for far too long. No one should be renting a property that fails to meet even the basic legal standards for energy efficiency.
“By taking firm action against non‑compliant landlords, we’re not only improving living conditions for tenants but also helping to cut carbon emissions across the borough. This project shows what can be achieved when councils take a proactive, evidence‑led approach, and we will continue to hold landlords to account wherever standards fall short.”
The news comes as the government announced all private rented properties will need to meet EPC C targets by 2030. A government consultation on meeting EPC C targets admits landlords may sell up or increase rents due to EPC rules.
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Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 374
4:06 PM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by PH at 17/02/2026 – 19:23
Absolutely disgusting law.
Member Since December 2021 - Comments: 161
7:14 PM, 18th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Hang on a minute, one of those was a regulated tenancy, is that under the old Rent Act 1977?
If so tha landlords probably only getting £50 a month and can’t evict!
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 392
7:21 PM, 19th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 18/02/2026 – 16:06
It’s too stop retaliation evictions at least that’s how I see it reading between the lines.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 374
12:29 PM, 20th February 2026, About 2 months ago
In a “free” country owners of property should be allowed to rent whatever they want and not even be required to tell the prospective tenant (PT) what the EPC is, unless asked, in which case the PR has the opportunity to decline the tenancy.
As the UK is currently short of housing someone will rent or if not the landlord will need to upgrade the EPC.
Property owners are now being dictated to.What next!
Wandsworth council claim this improves living standards, but not if the property is unavailable, which means another homeless person(s).Then we have this carbon emission nonsense.Tell that to China.
Member Since December 2025 - Comments: 4
2:27 PM, 18th March 2026, About 1 month ago
As both an assessor and a landlord, this feels less like a surprise and more like enforcement finally catching up with legislation that’s been in place for some time. Renting out F and G rated properties without a valid exemption has been non-compliant for years now.
What stands out here is the level of proactive enforcement. It does seem councils are starting to take MEES more seriously, which is something landlords will need to be much more aware of going forward.
From my side, the reality is a bit mixed. Some properties can be improved to an E fairly easily, but others—particularly older or more complex stock—can be difficult and expensive to upgrade in a way that genuinely improves the rating.
I think this is more of a sign of what’s to come rather than a one-off. If enforcement is ramping up at EPC E, it’s not hard to see it becoming more widespread as standards tighten further.
The key will be making sure expectations remain realistic and that the system stays consistent and workable, otherwise there’s a risk it becomes more about penalties than practical improvements.