Upgrading energy efficiency under the Renters’ Rights Act poses new challenges
1 month ago | 5 comments
Government defends EPC C targets for landlords
9:30 AM, 5th June 2026, 4 days ago
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The government claims the cost and compliance requirements of EPC C targets are “fair and proportionate” for landlords.
In response to a written parliamentary question, Energy Minister Martin McCluskey said a range of exemptions would be available.
The government has proposed that all privately rented properties must meet a minimum EPC rating of C by 2030.
No one-size-fits-all approach
Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth Jayne Kirkham asked: “What assessment has the government made of the number of rural properties that will struggle to reach the minimum EPC C rating by the 2030 deadline for all rental properties?”.
In response, Mr McCluskey said: “Government recognises there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to tackling the UK’s diverse building stock. We have set out a range of provisions to ensure the cost and compliance burden is fair and proportionate for landlords.
“This includes a maximum spend requirement of £10,000 per property, and a range of exemptions for circumstances where the installation of measures is not feasible or appropriate.”
Substantial and costly upgrades
Under the Warm Homes Plan, private landlords will be able to choose between the smart or heat metrics, and the cap on the amount they are expected to invest to meet the new standards will be reduced from £15,000 to £10,000.
The cost cap will be lower where £10,000 would represent 10% or more of a property’s value.
However, Mr McCluskey did not mention that upgrading properties to an EPC C rating will still be costly for landlords.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, previously told Property118 that EPC C targets will be hard to meet for older properties.
He said: “While the ambition of the Warm Homes Plan to improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty is acknowledged, the proposals as they stand are deeply concerning for landlords and agents across both the residential and commercial sectors.
“In the private rented sector, landlords are being asked to deliver, in many cases, substantial and costly upgrades to reach EPC C by 2030, yet this is being imposed without clear, long-term funding commitments, realistic delivery timescales, or sufficient flexibility for older, complex, and hard-to-treat properties.”
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Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 443
4:53 PM, 5th June 2026, About 4 days ago
Every increase or tax is fair and proportionate to this Labour government. In every interview they trot out the same well rehearsed answers or in Starmer’s case don’t answer.So if landlords increase rent by 50%, for starters, to cover all these costs that will be fair and proportionate.
£10k max spend so how long will that take for a landlord to recoup and you have no choice if you are an existing landlord.I am sure the tenant would prefer a nice new bathroom or kitchen.
Yes these idiots in government promoted spray-foam in lofts and walls and now properties are not mortgageable or saleable.
Member Since November 2019 - Comments: 169
5:25 PM, 5th June 2026, About 4 days ago
We all know a large proportion of Property in England was built before 1970 And its not viable for it to reach an C Grade . Without digging floors up and External Cladding which will cause Damp .
Where do these Clowns thing we have £15000 lying around.
They are already causing an Housing Crisis with Renters Rights and Taxation , Making 80% of the inner city Housing and 1930 Semi un- rentable is going to cause more Mass Homelessness.
Why we may prepared to make sensible cost effective improvements that will pay for them selves within 8-10 years.
Improvements causing Damp
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 30
3:44 AM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 05/06/2026 – 11:23
Their folly will give them something to think about in the unemployment queue.
Note the deadline is now after the next election in 2029.
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 327
7:58 AM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Northampton Landlord at 06/06/2026 – 03:44
Burnham will push for election before 2029 to help secure his next coalition government with greens and Liberals so we are stuck with this lot
Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 8
9:42 AM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 05/06/2026 – 13:34
When I delivered the RR act update to my tenants, non of them had even heard of it and they didn’t know what an EPC was either!!
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 443
10:36 AM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Crouchender at 06/06/2026 – 07:58
Which will mean the UK will economically go in to free fall, which may get shot of this bunch for ever.
Member Since June 2026 - Comments: 1
12:19 PM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Stockport Landlord at 05/06/2026 – 14:35
One going off the market in a few years based on these dumb rules. Will fund my retirement to Cyprus. Good riddance!
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 443
2:52 PM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Stockport Landlord at 05/06/2026 – 14:35
How does this work in a block of flats with all gas boilers.Where do leaseholders put all these heat pumps as they will need to seek permission from the freeholder/landowner who could simply refuse or seek a large fee.
Member Since June 2022 - Comments: 14
3:41 PM, 6th June 2026, About 3 days ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 06/06/2026 – 14:52
Yep, that’s already happened for me; I was refused permission.
I also asked the management company about ideas for forward planning – they don’t have any!!
Member Since May 2025 - Comments: 80
6:32 AM, 7th June 2026, About 2 days ago
Still no tax relief for this “investment”. Waiting for the capital gains tax relief on this spend is a mugs games with no indexation relief.
My plan if the tenants are still there – tell them to deny me access to do the “improvements” unless they want their rent to double. If they move out then it’s tim to sell.