EPC Changes 2030: A Practical Guide for Landlords

Fri 12 June 2026

EPC Changes 2030: A Practical Guide for Landlords

The UK Government is pressing ahead with significant reforms to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), and they will have a direct impact on landlords over the next few years.

This isn’t just about reaching a higher rating. These changes fundamentally shift how energy performance is measured, how compliance is judged, and how the sector will be regulated going forward.

 

EPC C by 2030

At the centre of it all is one key requirement: all privately rented properties must achieve an EPC rating of C or above by 1st October 2030.

If a property doesn’t meet the standard (and no exemption applies), it can’t be let.

The timeline 

Although 2030 may seem a long way off, the changes are being phased in well before then with some already underway.
 

October 2025: Any qualifying upgrade spend starts counting towards the £10,000 cap

2026–2027:  Final legislation is expected to formalise the new rules.

Late 2027 (expected): Launch of the new EPC system based on the Home Energy Model (HEM).

2027–2029: Old and new EPC systems will run side by side during a transition period.

By 2029: Many properties will need reassessing under the new methodology.

1^st October 2030 Deadline: all rented properties must meet EPC C (or the equivalent assessment metric)

The assessment criteria will change before 1^st October 2030. By taking action now, you reduce the risk of leaving yourself exposed.
 

 A new assessment criteria

One of the biggest changes is how EPCs are going to be calculated. At the moment, properties are given a single A–G rating, largely influenced by estimated running costs. That’s being replaced with a more detailed system under the Home Energy Model (HEM).

Therefore, EPCs will also be calculated on:

• Fabric performance – how well the building retains heat (insulation, windows, construction).
• Heating system – how efficient and low-carbon your heating is.
• Smart readiness – how well the property can support modern energy controls and tech
• Energy costs – estimated annual running costs

 What this means, in practice

This change is more than cosmetic; it affects how properties will pass or fail.

• You won’t achieve a good rating just because the property is cheap to run.
• Insulation and build quality will carry far more weight.
• Older or inefficient heating systems will have a bigger impact.
• Compliance is moving toward a combination of fabric and system performance, not just one headline number.

Therefore any improvements will now need to be more carefully considered, not just done to tick a box.

• Landlords will be expected to spend up to £10,000 per property to reach compliance (where required)
• More property types are being brought into the rules, including some that were previously outside of scope, such as Listed properties and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
• There will be tighter monitoring, better data, and more active enforcement from local authorities.

 
Act now

It has been reported that a large proportion of rental properties are currently below EPC C, so there’s a lot of work to be done across the industry.

Delaying taking action can leave you exposed to:

• Higher costs as demand increases.
• Difficulty finding good contractors.
• Being unable to let a non-compliant property.
• Achieving a lower score under new assessment rules.
• Fines of £30,000 per property.

 Let us help

Getting ready for 2030 isn’t just about carrying out upgrades, it’s about having a clear plan and making sure any work you invest in actually counts under the new system.

RH & RW Clutton is able to assess where your properties stand today and highlight any risks or gaps. We can help map out what needs to be done and when so you remain compliant and prevent overspending.

By taking action early gives you more control over costs, timelines, and outcomes.

Contact Sam Benson MNAEA MARLA to see what we can do to help.

 

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