Energy efficiency improvements slow despite proposed EPC C targets

Despite the government’s proposed policy push for EPC C targets in rental properties, the pace of improving energy efficiency has slowed, according to new research.

Rightmove Greener Homes report reveals that while the rental sector’s overall property stock remains more energy efficient than the resale market, recent legislation and proposals for further regulation have not accelerated green upgrades.

The property portal’s findings show that progress in improving energy efficiency has almost halved over the past five years compared with the previous five-year period, affecting both the rental and resale sectors.

Policy ambition hasn’t translated into real-world acceleration

In the rental market, the proportion of homes with an EPC rating of C or above rose from 41% to 52% between 2015 and 2020, but growth slowed between 2020 and 2025, increasing only from 52% to 58%.

In the resale market, the proportion increased from 29% to 40% between 2015 and 2020, then slowed to a rise from 40% to 46% between 2020 and 2025.

Across both markets, just 3% of the total progress over the past five years occurred in the past year.

Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: “Policy ambition hasn’t translated into real-world acceleration. We might have expected green improvements to speed up in the rental sector following policy pushes, but the data shows progress over the past five years has been slower than the previous five.

“For landlords, the challenge is balancing compliance with cost and potential value appreciation, and for renters, it’s about finding homes that deliver real savings. Energy efficiency isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for the pocket too, and making it easier to achieve will be key to unlocking faster change.”

Landlords are choosing to exit the market

The report also reveals many landlords feel under pressure over the government’s proposed EPC C targets, as 27% cite EPC requirements as a growing challenge in managing their properties.

Despite the availability of government grants, 63% of people have no plans to make green upgrades in the next twelve months, and just one in ten (11%) are acting to access grants.

More than one-third of landlords (33%) are actively considering exiting the market at some point in the future.

The research reveals in London, more than a quarter (26%) of homes listed for sale in 2025 were previously rental properties, up from 18% in 2020 and 15% in 2015.

Across Britain, the share of ex-rental listings reached 16% in 2025, compared with 11% in 2020, and 12% in 2015.