EPC C by 2030: What Landlords Need to Do Now

By RentVault Team · Published 2026-07-28 · 6 min read

From 1 October 2030, rental properties in England must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C or above to be legally let out — or have a valid registered exemption.

From 1 October 2030, rental properties in England must have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C or above to be legally let out — or have a valid registered exemption. Properties that do not meet the standard after that date cannot lawfully be let.

That is four years away. It is also not far enough away to ignore. Landlords who take action before 2028 have time, contractor choice, and price leverage on their side. Landlords who wait until 2029 face a busy market for installers, higher costs, and the possibility that some properties may become unviable to let without significant capital expenditure.

This article explains where the EPC C requirement stands, what achieving it typically involves, and why acting early is the right strategy.

Where the requirement stands now

The current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require rental properties in England and Wales to have an EPC rating of E or above to be lawfully let. Properties rated F or G cannot be let, with some exemptions.

The requirement to achieve EPC C by 2030 is confirmed government policy. The date and the standard have been consulted on extensively and the direction of travel is not in question — 1 October 2030 is the date, EPC C is the standard.

One important technical change is also coming. The current EPC methodology will be replaced by a new Home Energy Model (HEM) from 31 September 2029. After that date, EPCs will use the new methodology and the rating for your property may change — it could go up or down relative to its current rating. An EPC obtained using the current methodology will remain valid for 10 years from the date it was issued, but from 2030, only an EPC rated C or above using the new methodology will satisfy the letting requirement.

This matters for planning purposes. If you commission EPC improvements and get a C rating now, you will need to check whether that rating still holds under the new HEM when it takes effect in 2029. Landlords who invest in improvements well before 2030 may need to commission a new EPC assessment in 2029–30 to confirm their rating under the new methodology.

What an EPC C typically requires

An EPC rates the energy efficiency of the property on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The rating is calculated from the property's construction, insulation, heating system, hot water system, windows, and lighting.

The starting point matters enormously. A well-insulated 1990s house with a modern combi boiler may already be at C or D, needing only relatively minor improvements. A solid-walled Victorian terrace with an ageing oil boiler and no loft insulation could be a substantial distance from C and require significant investment.

Measures that typically contribute most to improving an EPC rating:

Loft insulation — one of the cheapest and most effective measures. If you have an accessible loft with insufficient or no insulation, installing 270mm of insulation can improve the rating by several EPC points at relatively low cost.

Cavity wall insulation — for properties with cavity walls (most post-1920 construction), cavity fill is cost-effective and can deliver a meaningful rating improvement. Not suitable for solid-wall properties.

External or internal wall insulation — for solid-walled properties (pre-1920 brick, stone), wall insulation is the largest single cost. External wall insulation is generally more effective but requires planning permission in some cases. Internal wall insulation loses floor area.

Boiler replacement — replacing an inefficient older boiler (below A-rated) with a modern high-efficiency condensing combi boiler can improve the EPC rating. Replacing a working boiler purely for EPC purposes may not be cost-effective depending on the age of the existing boiler.

Heat pump installation — a heat pump can significantly improve a property's EPC rating and is likely to become increasingly important as the new HEM methodology places more weight on low-carbon heating. However, heat pumps require a well-insulated property to work efficiently and the capital cost is high.

Solar panels (photovoltaic) — can contribute to the EPC rating by generating on-site renewable electricity. More relevant to larger or detached properties with suitable roof orientation.

Double glazing — replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed units improves the rating and also improves tenant comfort significantly. For properties that still have single glazing, this is often a priority measure.

Exemptions

Not every property can achieve EPC C, and the regulations include exemption provisions for cases where improvement is impractical or disproportionately expensive.

The expected exemption framework for the 2030 requirement will likely include:

Cost cap exemption. Where the cost of improvements needed to reach C exceeds a defined cost cap (the current E-rating cost cap is £3,500), a landlord can register an exemption. The cost cap for the C requirement has not yet been confirmed.

Wall insulation exemption. For properties where wall insulation cannot be installed because it would damage the fabric of the building or is not technically feasible (for example, some historic solid-wall properties), an exemption may be available.

Listed building and conservation area exemption. Where planning permission or listed building consent for the works required has been refused, an exemption may apply.

Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. They do not last indefinitely — they are typically valid for five years and must then be reviewed. An exemption is not a permanent escape from the requirement; it is a documented acknowledgement that the specific circumstances prevent compliance.

Why acting now is the right strategy

Contractor availability. The majority of landlords in England are waiting to deal with EPC compliance closer to 2030. When they all move at once, installer capacity will be overwhelmed. Landlords who want to choose their contractor, get competitive quotes, and schedule work at a convenient time need to act before the rush.

Government incentives. Green finance products — including some lender incentives on buy-to-let mortgages for energy-efficient properties — are more available now than they are likely to be when every landlord is competing for them simultaneously. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and other subsidy programmes are also more accessible when not oversubscribed.

Tenant experience and rent premium. A property rated B or C commands a measurable rent premium over an equivalent property rated D or E in most markets. Landlords who improve now benefit from the improved rating for the full period before 2030.

Avoiding distress. Landlords who do not comply by 2030 will not be able to let their property legally. A property that cannot be let is a property with no income and a potential void cost while compliance is being achieved.

The right starting point

Get a current EPC if you do not have a valid one, or if yours is more than five years old. An EPC valid at D or low C may drop under the new HEM methodology — knowing your current position under the existing methodology, and getting an assessor's view on likely performance under HEM, gives you the best information to plan.

Ask the EPC assessor for a list of the measures that would improve the rating to C and their estimated costs. EPC assessors are required to include recommended measures in the report — use this as the basis for getting contractor quotes.

RentVault tracks EPC certificate expiry dates for each property on your dashboard. If your EPC is approaching expiry, you will receive a renewal alert. Use that prompt to commission both a renewal assessment and a quote for improvement works.