EPC reforms will be sensitive to individual properties claims government
4 weeks ago | 13 comments
Landlords unaware of EPC exemptions as 2030 deadline approaches
12:01 AM, 23rd September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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More than a quarter of landlords are unaware of EPC exemptions as older buildings struggle to meet the EPC C target by 2030.
Research by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) reveals that 28% of landlords were unaware that EPC exemptions existed, while fewer than 2% had registered an exemption in the past two years.
Under the planned rules, landlords could register a cost cap exemption where the property remains below the required standard after eligible improvements and the next cheapest recommended measure would take total qualifying spending above £10,000.
The government plans to introduce the higher standard from 1 October 2030, subject to legislation. The existing EPC E requirements continue to apply in the meantime.
Increase the number of properties eligible for exemptions
Under current rules, privately rented homes in England and Wales that fall within the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards must have an EPC rating of at least E, unless a valid exemption has been registered.
Landlords must meet the exemption criteria and upload the required supporting evidence.
According to the NRLA, there were just over 10,000 exemptions on the register by March 2026 covering both domestic and non-domestic properties.
Under the planned higher standard, a new solid wall insulation exemption would allow landlords to decline that measure where it is the only remaining improvement needed to meet the fabric standard.
They would still need to register the exemption and address the secondary heating or smart readiness standard, subject to the cost cap and any applicable exemptions.
The government has announced plans to overhaul the way EPCs are measured, arguing the current single-metric system is “insufficient”.
The existing headline domestic EPC rating is based on modelled energy costs, taking account of factors including insulation, heating systems and fuel prices.
The proposed reforms would introduce four headline metrics: fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness and energy cost, with energy use and carbon emissions provided as secondary information.
The NRLA says the proposed EPC changes could significantly increase the number of properties eligible for exemptions, with 46% of PRS properties currently rated D or E.
Older buildings will struggle to meet EPC C target
The government also plans a property value adjustment exemption for homes worth less than £100,000, reducing the maximum required investment to 10% of the property’s value.
As previously reported by Property118, Propertymark has welcomed the £10,000 cost cap but warned that many older buildings will still struggle to meet the required standard within the limit.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, explains: “We support the proposed extension of exemptions to 10 years within the £10,000 cost cap framework, as it offers landlords greater certainty and more time to plan improvements strategically.
“However, Propertymark has consistently argued that many properties will still struggle to achieve EPC C within the proposed cap, particularly older buildings requiring extensive retrofit works.
“Landlords need clearer guidance, long-term policy stability, and greater financial assistance if the sector is to meet the 2030 deadline without unintended consequences for housing supply.
“Targets should also be linked to the age and archetype of properties to ensure homes become as energy efficient as possible without losing much-needed rental stock from the private rented sector.”
6 comments on this article
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Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 57
10:32 AM, 23rd September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
I think the EPC madness will be the biggest pull factor for Landlords to sell up even more than the new RRA which has started a mass exodus anyway. In my area you see less and less D, E and F EPC properties to rent and a lot more C and above to rent. Landlords are selling up non compliant properties because the costs involved of achieving the holy grail of an EPC C rating are mind blowing. Selling up and reinvesting in properties that already meet the 2030 EPC target of a minimum C rating is a sensible one.
It’s a changing market for Renters that will see fewer properties on the market with higher rents all thanks to our politicians, well done and three cheers for the muppets running and ruining our country.
Member Since November 2019 - Comments: 212
11:10 AM, 23rd September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
EPC Grade C is Madness . Only A Politician could pursue a policy that may make 100, 000 of Tenants Homeless . Wiping out 30 40 percent of the Rental stock is not the brightest idea.
I like most of us are willing to install improvements that are sensible and cost effective.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 199
12:37 PM, 23rd September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
My assessor has told me that we will have updates on exemptions middle of 2027
until then how can you spend money carrying out updates.
Member Since January 2017 - Comments: 136
5:55 PM, 23rd September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Not going to happen IMO, so not going to worry about it!
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3352 - Articles: 83
6:51 AM, 29th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
My video to Ed on this around Feb 2025 when he announced all tenants houses will be upgraded whether they like it or not.
https://youtu.be/ijMxRyuCGKI?si=v10mmKfqpTqRZPLL
Also why is not anyone on the news when they mentioning this botched insulation, that is a result of people wanting warmer houses, lower EPC’s.
Now Ed calling for it again, there will be millions more with botched insulation in 5 years time.
You cannot retrospectively fit older houses without some side effects.
Older houses by the way that already have new boiler, kitchen, windows, doors, tenant very happy & paying £100+ below market rent-What do u think is going to happen to those rents who are paying cheap rent?
Have u been to ask them what they want in THIER HOMES OF 20 YEARS?
I had 46 boilers fitted free in one of the ECO schemes 2022. 50% of them had faults/bad fitting.
Trustmark NEVER communicate with us, only the tenant.
I had 6k free work done under ECO4 I think free internal wall insulation. Mould & fault 1 year later. Trustmark said Yes we will deal with the tenant. I said u ruddy won’t cause she’s left. House empty & I’m trying to sell it.
Trustmark & Govt NEVER come talk to us about what should be happening. They our houses after all.
The builders have been cowboys, start up tomorrow, pack up next year so not accountable. I stopped all my internal wall insulations as they wanted to do about 30–40 of my houses but tenants were ringing me saying These don’t know what they doing.
Tenant had to buy new settee, insulation made the room too small.
There should be a proper record, this is the Landlord, we deal with him, we ask him before, during, after what is happening.
I have been (Not any more, sold 27 houses last 8 months-More to come) Nottingham’s biggest private provider to Benefit tenants (who have less money so need lower bills) for 28 years, so I even though am thick & no A levels, I have common sense & experience. These are our houses we have built up from nothing. We want things to be right for us & tenant.
Why isn’t the news linking this up with what Ed Miliband is calling for? He’ll be in a different dept in 2030 & say Note to do with me when millions more homes are damp & mouldy cause of what he has pushed on us.
Member Since July 2024 - Comments: 129
6:36 AM, 30th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Mick Roberts at 29/09/2026 – 06:51
Wow thanks Mick for pointing this out. I had one botched boiler for my HMO. then 4 useless Gas Eng / Plumbers with non-stop rubbish on trying to fix or replace. My best plumber is too busy or on holiday – I cant even get him into my HMO anymore. – I had 46 boilers fitted free in one of the ECO schemes 2022. 50% of them had faults/bad fitting.
Trustmark NEVER communicate with us, only the tenant.
I had 6k free work done under ECO4 I think free internal wall insulation. Mould & fault 1 year later. Trustmark said Yes we will deal with the tenant. I said u ruddy won’t cause she’s left. House empty & I’m trying to sell it.
Trustmark & Govt NEVER come talk to us about what should be happening. They our houses after all.
The builders have been cowboys, start up tomorrow, pack up next year so not accountable. I stopped all my internal wall insulations as they wanted to do about 30–40 of my houses but tenants were ringing me saying These don’t know what they doing. Good for you on selling up – I did see you were selling a long while back. I’m taking all my money out of UK and to China. What I’ve taken out has been invested in ETF’s many up 50% in a year. Property is simply not worth it. a 2% return for all the hassle, regulations and tax – I’m currently dealing with my boys in my HMO latest thing is Council doesnt collect bins, rats come and eat through the ones they dump out back – new tenant is rather aggressive on why they aren’t recycling properly and I’m trying to fix all this thinking it’s actually not my responsibility – it’s theirs as per their AST’s.