Government claims EPC C targets will help tenants
3 months ago | 9 comments
Landlords could exit the market without EPC support – Propertymark
8:45 AM, 20th February 2026, 2 months ago
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An industry body has warned the government must support landlords in achieving EPC C targets by 2030 or landlords could leave the market.
Propertymark has responded to the government consultation on energy-performance certificate (EPC) reforms and the Home Energy Model, which will replace the way EPCs are measured, replacing the existing single cost metric with four new headline metrics: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness.
Propertymark has warned that, with many older properties in the private rented sector the government must apply exemptions.
Without proper support landlords may exit the market
In response to the government consultation, the industry body has warned EPC reforms must not be a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ as this could reduce supply.
Propertymark says on its website: “EPC reform mustn’t be viewed in isolation from the minimum standards policy because the sector needs long-term certainty on both aspects to comply effectively.
“In its recent Warm Homes Plan, the UK government confirmed that PRS homes in England and Wales must meet EPC C by 2030. As we have set out in our wider energy efficiency policy work, this target must be supported by sustained funding and practical exemptions.”
The industry body adds: “We have consistently warned that overly ambitious or poorly designed targets could reduce the supply of rented homes, particularly where older or harder-to-treat properties are concerned. Without proper support, landlords may exit the market rather than invest.”
“Our wider energy efficiency policy highlights the need to move away from a “one size fits all” approach and instead recognise differences in property age, type and construction. The UK government should target funding based on property archetypes, not tenure alone.”
Older properties may face constraints
As previously reported by Property118, the smart readiness metric scores a property’s ability to generate its own electricity, with a C rating usually requiring solar panels and a smart meter.
The Telegraph claims the government is considering rules that would stop properties heated with fossil fuels, such as a gas boiler, from achieving a C under the heating system metric, while an electric heat pump would automatically meet the standard.
Propertymark points out that under the smart metric system, it will unfairly penalise landlords with older properties.
The industry body said in the consultation: “We note that many properties in the private rented sector, particularly older, heritage, terraced housing or flats, may face practical constraints in installing some technologies, such as solar panels, batteries, or EV charge points.
“In these cases, the metric should be applied flexibly, and exemptions or alternative scoring pathways should be available, so that landlords and tenants are not unfairly penalised. Clear guidance for property agents and landlords on how technologies are scored and the implications for EPCs will be essential to ensure the metric is practical and understandable.
“Overall, Propertymark supports the principle of recognising these technologies but emphasises the need for a proportionate approach that reflects the constraints of the housing stock they deal with.”
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Member Since February 2026 - Comments: 1
2:21 PM, 23rd February 2026, About 2 months ago
I think Propertymark is (mostly) right about the need for support, but landlords can’t wait for government action. Market exit risk is real, but depends heavily on property-specific upgrade costs.
The smart move is proper due dil asap. Some properties will be viable with some small upgrades, others genuinely aren’t worth keeping. The difference between staying in business and exit often comes down to understanding your true upgrade costs vs. doing panic improvements.
I’ve been sometimes using epcguide.co.uk which I think is new but not sure? Theyve got guides on actual property types which is useful.
Member Since July 2024 - Comments: 112
2:07 AM, 24th February 2026, About 2 months ago
My husband is in Sustainability – his specialization is energy efficiency – his latest HMO is EPC A rated – he’s used external wall insulation & solar. With external wall insulation being the biggest winner – especially on 1960’s ugly houses. He says everyone needs good loft insulation – we did it ourselves..messy job but very cheap from B&Q. Cavity wall is available for all properties post 1932
– just read him what the Telegraph reported and he uttered some expletives. Its more best use of combined systems not getting rid of gas boilers although we do need to move away from gas boilers but a heat pump should not be a requirement. Solar does not always work due to space available, shading on roof and direction of the sun.
My big bug bear is lack of standards and trained inspectors – a investor friend had finished his property, inspector came in , he explained works been done & “inspector” said he needed to open up the wall again to prove his upgrade. For me..Im selling up – not financially worth investing more to hit a target the Government can’t clearly identify.
Member Since February 2026 - Comments: 2
9:40 AM, 25th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Propertymark’s right that the “exit or invest” decision comes down to cost clarity — and right now most landlords don’t have it.
The problem isn’t just the £10,000 cap or the 2030 deadline. It’s that landlords are making sell/hold decisions based on guesswork. I’ve spoken to agents managing 50+ properties who’ve never run the numbers on what it would actually cost to bring each one to Band C. They’re either assuming the worst and selling, or assuming the best and getting caught out.
A few things worth knowing that might help anyone on the fence:
The quick wins are cheaper than people think. Loft insulation top-up, heating controls, LED lighting and draught proofing can shift a mid-D to a C for under £2,000 in many cases. It’s the Band E and below properties — older stock, solid walls, no cavity — where costs genuinely escalate.
Grants cover more than people realise. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme knocks £7,500 off a heat pump. ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme can fully fund cavity and loft insulation for eligible properties. Most landlords I’ve spoken to haven’t checked eligibility.
Regional pricing varies massively. The same cavity wall job can cost £1,800 in the Midlands and £3,200 in London. Generic cost estimates are misleading.
I built epcfix.co.uk to solve this — it pulls your actual EPC data, gives you itemised improvement costs for your region, shows which grants apply, and tells you where your property sits against the Band C threshold. Bulk pricing at £10/report for portfolios of 10+.
The landlords who are making the best decisions right now are the ones who actually know their numbers. Whether that means staying in and improving, selling the worst performers, or claiming exemptions — it all starts with understanding the true cost per property.