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The new Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has confirmed that the government intends to bring in a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C for landlords.

Labour promised in their election manifesto that all privately rented properties will be required to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by 2030 as part of the party’s Warm Homes Plan.

Green MP Ellie Chowns submitted a written question on the subject: “To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to require landlords to improve the erengy efficiency of their properties to an EPC C rating.”

Ms Fahnbulleh stated: “This government is committed to reducing the number of fuel poor households in England. We will require landlords to improve their properties to Energy Performance Certificate standard C by 2030. Ensuring warmer, healthier private rented homes will lift many families out of fuel poverty and reduce energy bills.”

Ed Milliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “This government will demand landlords raise their properties to EPC band C by 2030. This measure aims to significantly reduce the 3.2 million households currently in fuel poverty over the next five years.”

Similar plans by the previous government were dropped because of the potentially high costs for landlords, many of whom own Victorian properties.

How to get an EPC rating

If you are selling or leasing a property you will need an EPC rating that was issued within the last ten years.

This is available from an accredited EPC assessor. If you do not provide a valid EPC rating when selling or letting a property, you can be fined.

If you have had work carried out to the property since the last EPC assessment that you believe has improved energy efficiency, you may want to have a new up-to-date assessment carried out, which hopefully will have a better rating.

Improving EPC rating

Some of the main ways of improving an EPC rating include:

• Replacing windows
• Insuring you have adequate insulation
• Replacing an old boiler or electric panel heaters with an energy efficient heating system
• Remove any electric fires

You should check with an energy rating expert before carrying out expensive work to ensure that you are spending your money in the best way to improve your property’s energy efficiency.

Contact us

If you would like any further advice on this topic please contact one of our Residential Property experts.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.