Labour considers EPC C exemptions for listed buildings

Labour considers EPC C exemptions for listed buildings

0:01 AM, 23rd April 2025, About 3 months ago 6

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The Labour government could relax energy-efficiency rules and allow listed buildings to be exempt from EPC C targets, claim The Telegraph.

The news comes after Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband announced all private rented properties would need to meet EPC C targets by 2030, and by 2028 for new tenancies.

This will be welcome news for landlords, as a leading landlord group previously told Property118 that without exemptions for older properties, up to half of private rented homes could be lost from the market.

Ensure appropriate exemptions are in place

In a question to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Lord Truscott asked whether landlords would still be allowed to let listed properties that don’t meet EPC C standards by 2030.

In response, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath seemed to indicate that the Labour government is considering exemptions for listed buildings.

He said: “The government is consulting on proposals to increase minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector.

“Current regulations include a number of exemptions to ensure minimal disruption to tenants and the number of homes available in the private rented sector, including exemptions for listed buildings where compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the existing building. We are looking to ensure appropriate exemptions are in place for any new standards.”

Reaction to listed buildings being exempt

A spokesperson for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) welcomed the news.

The spokesperson told The Telegraph: “We welcome Labour’s recognition of the unique challenges that listed buildings pose when it comes to meeting an EPC rating of ‘C’.

“Whatever the outcome of the consultation, it is essential that any changes to minimum energy efficiency standards to private properties are both pragmatic and realistic. We will continue to work with the government to ensure future regulations strike the correct balance.”

Propertymark told The Telegraph that any new regulations need to consider the challenges landlords face.

Meghan Eighteen, president-elect of trade body ARLA Propertymark, told The Telegraph: “Bringing many properties, including Victorian terraced housing, up to an EPC C rating will be challenging and costly.

She adds: “Even new builds, which are built to very high energy efficiency standard, are not meeting that top criteria. The assessment of that needs work.

“We have to find a balance between honouring our architectural heritage and committing to environmental responsibility.”


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Lindsay Smith

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10:42 AM, 23rd April 2025, About 3 months ago

This should also apply to conservation areas

Dylan Morris

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10:42 AM, 23rd April 2025, About 3 months ago

“The news comes after Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband announced all private rented properties would need to meet EPC C targets by 2030, and by 2028 for new tenancies”.
No they don’t !!! Ignore the clown. Ed Milliband isn’t the devine ruler, he can’t simply impose his will on the people. Whatever he says has zero effect. A law needs to be put into place. And that hasn’t been done yet. This isn’t going to happen just because Milliband says so.

DP

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10:48 AM, 23rd April 2025, About 3 months ago

What about all those of a certain age and character which make up a goodly percentage of villages some in AONB and are currently let but not necessarily 'listed' but will not tolerate modern upgrades ?

Reluctant Landlord

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10:53 AM, 23rd April 2025, About 3 months ago

again a load of waffle. There is already exemptions in place for Listed properties. All it is a smoke screen to try and placate LL's that are not already aware of this.

In other words pure spin. Announcing something that looks a great pacifier and that makes it look like the decision had been thought through...but the reality is that it is already in place so no material change.

Suspicious Steve

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10:42 AM, 9th June 2025, About 4 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Lindsay Smith at 23/04/2025 - 10:42
Agreed it should apply to conservation areas. Conservation areas means "character or appearance that is desirable to preserve or enhance". So solar panels are out, exterior wall insulation is out. Heat pumps on front of property are out. Even double glazing may be challenged by the conservation officer.

Given most EPCs recommend solar, exterior insulation it's unlikely be possible to achieve C in a conservation area.

Suspicious Steve

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10:45 AM, 9th June 2025, About 4 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 23/04/2025 - 10:42
If it makes sense to achieve C (which it doesnt) then all social and council properties should also achieve C. Currently they dont event need to achieve E. So these Labour voters in their council houses are forced to ensure cold, damp sub standard social housing.

Sign my petition to force the government to spend £45 BILLION upgrading these cold, damp council houses to the same EPC level as private housing.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718910

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