The government has defended its proposed EPC C requirements for privately rented homes, insisting that the costs and compliance obligations placed on landlords are “fair and proportionate” as part of wider efforts to improve energy efficiency across the housing sector.
The proposed rules would require all privately rented properties in England and Wales to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030. The policy forms part of the government’s broader Warm Homes Plan, which aims to reduce energy consumption, lower emissions and address fuel poverty.
In response to a written parliamentary question, Energy Minister Martin McCluskey confirmed that a range of exemptions would be made available to landlords where meeting the standard is not practical or feasible. He also emphasised that the government recognises the diversity of the UK’s housing stock and does not intend to take a uniform approach to implementation.
The question was raised by Labour MP Jayne Kirkham, who asked what assessment had been made regarding rural properties that may struggle to meet the EPC C requirement by the 2030 deadline. In reply, McCluskey acknowledged that different property types present different challenges, particularly in areas where older or less energy-efficient housing is more common.
He stated that the government had introduced measures designed to ensure the financial burden on landlords remains balanced. These include a proposed maximum spending cap of £10,000 per property to reach the required standard, along with exemptions for cases where energy efficiency improvements cannot reasonably be carried out.
Under the Warm Homes Plan, landlords will also be given flexibility in how they meet the requirements. They will be able to choose between different improvement pathways, including smart energy solutions or heat-based upgrades, depending on what is most suitable for the property in question.
The cost cap has also been revised from an earlier proposed limit of £15,000 down to £10,000 per property. In some cases, the cap may be set even lower, particularly where the £10,000 threshold would represent a significant proportion of a property’s overall value, specifically 10% or more.
Despite these adjustments, there are ongoing concerns within the property sector that the financial impact of upgrading homes to EPC C could still be substantial, particularly for landlords with older housing stock that requires extensive improvements.
Industry experts have warned that achieving the new standards may be particularly challenging for older and harder-to-treat properties, where insulation, heating systems and structural limitations can make upgrades both complex and expensive.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, has previously expressed concern about the practicality of the proposals. While acknowledging the government’s intention to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty, he has argued that the current plans present significant challenges for landlords and letting agents across both residential and commercial sectors.
He noted that many landlords are being expected to carry out substantial and costly upgrades in order to meet EPC C requirements by 2030. However, he raised concerns that this expectation is not currently matched with clear long-term funding support, realistic implementation timelines, or sufficient flexibility for properties that are older or more difficult to upgrade.
As a result, while the government maintains that the policy is balanced and achievable, debate continues within the property sector about whether the current framework provides enough support for landlords to meet the upcoming standards without placing undue financial strain on the private rented sector.
Download NOW
4 Simple Steps To Becoming Wealthy Through Property