Why should landlords be aware of the EPC rental law change?

As a landlord, EPC law changes are something you should pay close attention to. 

 

With the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) standards rising from E to C in 2025, landlords need to be aware of the implications and costings involved with bringing their properties up to this standard – or face costly fines for non-compliance. 

 

A breach of the EPC regulations could result in a £150,000 fine for commercial properties and significant penalties for residential landlords.

 

In this blog post, we’ll look at why EPC law changes are important, how much it may cost to upgrade a property and what landlords should do to bring their EPC rating up to C to ensure that properties are compliant.

 

What is EPC?

An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a document that details the energy efficiency of a property. It provides information on how much energy the property will use and what level of emissions it produces, as well as offering recommendations for improvement. 

EPCs are an important part of any landlord’s portfolio and can help to reduce running costs and improve the overall efficiency of the property. They are legally required for all properties before they can be rented out and must be renewed every ten years or when major renovations occur.  

EPCs play an important role in ensuring that landlords meet their obligations to tenants, as well as helping them to reduce their own costs. 

The EPC law is changing and landlords need to be aware of the implications.  EPC ratings can range from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). In 2025, EPC standards will rise from E rating to C rating – this means that all rental properties must meet a minimum energy efficiency standard or risk costly fines for non-compliance

 

What is the EPC law change?

The EPC law change is an important piece of legislation that was introduced in 2020 by the UK government. 

The EPC law states that all rental properties must meet a minimum energy efficiency standard or risk costly fines for non-compliance. 

In 2025, this standard will rise from E to C, meaning that all rental properties need to reach this higher level of energy efficiency. 

This EPC law change is designed to help reduce emissions and save energy, while providing tenants with more comfortable and efficient homes. 

Landlords need to be aware of the EPC law change and understand how it will affect them in order to ensure their rental properties comply with the required standards.  

30% of landlords are yet to make improvements to their properties.

 

Why are EPC law changes important?

The EPC law change is an important step in reducing emissions and improving the energy efficiency of rental properties. 

The EPC rating measures the amount of energy used by a property compared to its potential, as well as providing information on what can be done to improve it. 

By upgrading EPC ratings to a minimum of C level, landlords can save money on energy bills and improve the comfort of their tenants. This can also help them to attract more desirable tenants who are looking for an efficient, cost-effective home. 

In addition, EPC law changes provide an incentive for landlords to invest in energy-saving measures such as insulation, double glazing and energy-efficient appliances. This will help to reduce emissions in the long run, as well as providing tenants with a more comfortable and cost-effective home.

 

How much will it cost to upgrade your property?

The cost of upgrading a property’s EPC rating can vary greatly depending on a range of factors, including the size of the property and any existing energy-efficiency measures. 

Generally speaking, upgrading an EPC rating to meet the new standard can cost anything from a few hundred pounds up to several thousand depending on the scale of work required. 

This could include replacing inefficient appliances or installing insulation. For larger buy-to-let landlords, the EPC law change provides an opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, as well as saving money and improving tenant comfort.

 

What should landlords do to meet the EPC regulations?

In order to ensure that rental properties are compliant with EPC law changes, landlords need to be aware of their EPC rating and make sure it meets the required standards. 

Landlords should check EPC ratings regularly, as well as considering updating their rental properties with energy-efficient appliances or insulation to bring EPC ratings up to C level.

It is essential for landlords to be aware of EPC law changes in order to ensure compliance and avoid costly fines for non-compliance. 

By investing in energy efficiency measures and understanding EPC ratings, landlords can save money on energy bills, improve the comfort of their tenants and also attract more desirable tenants.  

Understanding EPC law changes is key for landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with standards and remain profitable.

Touchstone Education’s Abi Hookway said, “The EPC law is a valuable piece of legislation for landlords and tenants. Meeting rules on energy efficiency is crucial for aiding support against climate change. By not ensuring the property is meeting EPC standards, it could cost residential landlords £30,000 in fines.”

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