EPC ratings drive rental values as industry body urges realistic targets
1 week ago | 27 comments
Upgrading energy efficiency under the Renters’ Rights Act poses new challenges
9:32 AM, 7th May 2026, 6 days ago
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A landlord association has warned the Renters’ Rights Act could hamper energy efficiency improvement plans.
In a post on its website, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said that previously landlords could wait for a tenancy to end or use Section 21 to create a void period in which to carry out improvement works.
However, under the Renters’ Rights Act, Section 21 has been abolished, and with the government’s announcement that all private rented properties must meet EPC C targets by 2030, the NRLA has raised concerns about how landlords will retrofit homes when tenants have no obligation to leave during works.
Criteria is restrictive
The NRLA says the only realistic route for gaining possession to carry out retrofit works is Ground 6, which applies when a landlord plans to demolish or significantly redevelop a property and the work cannot be done with the tenant still living there.
However, the criteria are very restrictive. The threshold for what counts as substantial is high and typically involves major structural or transformative work that would make the property uninhabitable.
According to the NRLA, most energy efficiency upgrades, even those that are expensive, are unlikely to meet this requirement.
There are also further conditions, as the landlord must have owned the property before the tenancy started and the tenancy must have been in place for at least six months.
Only a temporary solution
The NRLA explains that where tenant cooperation is needed, landlords can register a third-party consent exemption under MEES. This can offer protection from enforcement, provided landlords can show they have made genuine attempts to obtain consent.
However, this is only a temporary solution. The exemption lasts for five years or until the tenancy ends, whichever comes first, and does not remove the requirement to meet EPC C but simply delays it.
The NRLA adds that once the tenant leaves, the exemption no longer applies and landlords will need to carry out the necessary improvements.
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Member Since March 2025 - Comments: 2
2:27 PM, 7th May 2026, About 6 days ago
It’s really simple. The revised EPC proposals are extremely discriminatory against the PRS and do not make any environmental or financial sense. So one simply asks the tenants if (1) they would like to leave or be disrupted in order to carry out EPC work and then pay a higher rent or (2) if they would like to stay / not be disrupted and continue to pay the same rent. When they choose to stay and confirm this in appropriate terms, then this allows a 5 year exclusion from the EPC requirements.
In any event the EPC proposals will 100% certainly be changed again before 2028 / 2030. Do nothing right now is the only sensible approach.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3569 - Articles: 5
2:45 PM, 7th May 2026, About 6 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Stockport Landlord at 07/05/2026 – 14:27
my thoughts exactly. They also forget that its not always about the LL proving that the works will be disruptive. If the contractors are not prepared themselves to carry out the work because tenants and all possessions remain in situ (no available working space, restricted working times, inaccessibility to get under floors etc, dogs in the property) then that’s more than a reasonable exemption too.
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 65
6:10 PM, 7th May 2026, About 6 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Stockport Landlord at 07/05/2026 – 14:27
Will BTL mortgage lenders still lend on property below a C if the law stipulates you can only rent out with C or above?
If not then it doesn’t matter what the tenant says for landlords who have mortgages
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3569 - Articles: 5
9:01 AM, 8th May 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Billy Gunn at 07/05/2026 – 18:10
found a bit of info…
Key insights on mortgaged rental properties: Borrowing Patterns: According to the English Private Landlord Survey 2024, around three in five landlords have borrowing on at least one property, while 41% own all their properties outright. Limited Company Debt: Ltd company landlords are more likely to have debt, with 75% of those properties (roughly 458,838) having a mortgage, note Simply Business.
Imagine if even just half of these all these mortgaged properties were a D or below. More rental chaos…..
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 6
11:49 AM, 8th May 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Stockport Landlord at 07/05/2026 – 14:27
I agree. The government will change its mind before 2030 as it is not viable for all to be at C or above.
I also ask why tenants cannot choose the level of efficiency when renting the same as homeowners????