EPC C targets push landlords towards the exit
2 weeks ago | 2 comments
Landlords told to prepare early for EPC C 2030 upgrades
8:02 AM, 20th May 2026, 2 weeks ago
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A firm has warned landlords to act now rather than later to meet the EPC C 2030 deadline.
Glevum Windows says that with the Renters’ Rights Act now in force, landlords should start preparing upgrades without delay.
According to BTL lender The Mortgage Works, only one in three landlords (33%) has a clear understanding of the cost of upgrading their properties, while 63% say they do not know how much it will cost to bring their properties up to standard.
A full upgrade can meaningfully improve an EPC rating
According to the data, 33.8% of private rented homes are still below EPC C, and the firm warns landlords need to act now.
Mike Donaldson, the firm’s managing director, said: “The 2030 deadline feels distant, but the installation pipeline won’t wait, and landlords are only just waking up to the fact that windows are often the first thing an EPC assessor looks at.
“Most landlords still don’t know what’s required or what it will cost, and by the time they do, lead times will have stretched significantly. Those who act now get better availability, better pricing, and the certainty that they’re compliant well ahead of the rush.
“A full upgrade can meaningfully improve an EPC rating, eliminate the condensation that leads to damp and mould, and reduce a tenant’s bills. For landlords, that’s one conversation that solves three problems at once.”
The firm says windows are one of the most overlooked and impactful factors in a property’s EPC rating.
They account for up to 25% of heat loss in a typical UK home, yet the firm claims 10% of privately rented properties currently suffer from damp, more than double the rate seen in owner-occupied homes.
Fix damp and mould within strict timeframes
The government has not yet confirmed a date for implementation, but Awaab’s Law is expected to come into force during phase three of the Act, in 2027.
The law will require landlords to fix damp and mould within strict timeframes.
Whilst the government has not yet set out what these timeframes will be for the private rented sector, for social housing, all emergency hazards need to be fixed within 24 hours and any potential significant hazards must be investigated within 10 working days of becoming aware of them.
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Member Since August 2023 - Comments: 5
10:08 AM, 20th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
I had spent the money when the government previously announced that they intended to raise the bar to a status C EPC rating, then cancelled it! It cost me about £25,000 to get there from a status D. New boiler, new windows, new insulated conservatory roof, insulated render. At least I am now prepared, until the idiots decide that C is not good enough.
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 373
10:53 AM, 20th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
I don’t think so, I’ll be selling mine before the new rules come in. Who needs the hassle for something that may or may not happen.
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 794
11:25 AM, 20th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ryan Stevens at 20/05/2026 – 10:53
Me too. My ERC will expire in 2 years, so its bye bye tenants, good luck finding somewhere to live
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 370
4:29 PM, 20th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
A double glazing company telling landlords to upgrade EPC ratings. Vested interest or what? Anyway double glazing alone won’t get you a D let alone a C. It does not seem clear if a new C is going to be equivalent to an old C. There are rumours that if a property has a gas boiler (ie most houses) it will not be able to achieve a new C rating. Can these rumours be true? The course of action I am taking is to wait and see. When the time comes if the cost is modest (which I do not expect it will be as my properties are older) I would carry out the modifications. If not, I would explain to tenants that an upgrade will result in a huge rent hike (provided I am allowed to even raise rents at that time) ask them to decline to have the work done and get an exemption. If getting an exemption doesn’t wash I would just sell. I wonder how many other landlord’s will take a similar approach, or just sell anyway to avoid all the hassle?
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 373
4:36 PM, 20th May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
This is only one of hundreds of hassles.
I’m sure governments of all persuasions will be adding more hassles – tenants get carrots, landlords get £7000 sticks.
I am/will be selling.
Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 2
8:02 AM, 21st May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
It won’t happen it will get pushed back, or cancel by the next government. And if it does happen I would just evict and sell
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 325
9:10 AM, 21st May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Steven Makepeace at 08:02
Thankfully there will be election by 2029 anyway. And if it is the same clueless lot now it may be better cough up the £10K towards EPC-C and then get exemption than pay the 40/45/50% CGT- wealth Tax that Burnham (PM)/ Miliband (chancellor) will bring in Oct 2026 budget?!!!
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 152
3:44 PM, 21st May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
i just took a grade d house to grade A wiith a few solar panels and a battery. Its do-able if its a house
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 373
4:27 PM, 21st May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Mine are mainly flats, so probably not do-able. In any event, why would I want to, unless it is going to increase the return on investment in the very short term (unlikely).
I would rather sell, avoid all the risk and hassle and put the funds into alternative investments that are easier to manage and lower risk. I have made (unrealised) 38% on my portfolio in the last year, so why would I want to risk thousands of pounds of fines, legal costs and lost rent to remove non-paying tenants, MTD ITSA, penal tax rates, etc?
Of course, past performance is no indication of future performance, but I do not think property prices are going anywhere in the next few years.
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 152
4:31 PM, 21st May 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ryan Stevens at 16:27
good luck . You are probably right. For those property investors who battle on I believe there will be good performance in the long run.