EPC C by 2030: What Every Landlord Must Do Now

If you own rental property in England, the EPC C target is the biggest regulatory change on the horizon. The government has confirmed the deadline, set the fine levels, and is replacing the entire methodology used to assess EPC ratings — all before 2030. Landlords who start planning now will spend significantly less than those who scramble at the last minute.

This is our practical guide: what the target actually means, what counts toward it, how much you'll need to spend, and what to do first.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Band C is the third-highest rating, broadly equivalent to a modern well-insulated property with gas central heating and decent windows. Most Victorian and Edwardian terraces, older semis, and pre-1980s flats currently sit at D or E.

The current legal minimum for privately rented property is EPC band E — anything below E cannot be let without a valid exemption. EPC C by 2030 raises that bar significantly, requiring meaningful improvement to a large proportion of England's private rented housing stock.

The government's confirmed target is a two-stage rollout:

• New tenancies from 2030: any new tenancy agreement signed must be for a property at EPC band C or above
• All tenancies from 2035: all existing ongoing tenancies must also be at EPC band C or above by 2035
• Exemptions apply where the required work costs more than the spending cap (£10,000) or where improvements are not technically feasible
• Landlords must register valid exemptions on the PRS Exemptions Register — unregistered exemptions do not protect against enforcement

The 2030 deadline for new lets is the most pressing. If you plan to re-let a property to a new tenant from 2030 onwards, that property needs to be EPC C. Properties that are already let with existing tenants have until 2035, but if the tenancy ends and a new one starts before 2035, the 2030 deadline kicks in.

Local authorities can issue fines of up to £30,000 per property for letting a property that doesn't meet the minimum energy efficiency standard without a valid registered exemption. This is a substantial increase from the current £5,000 maximum under the existing MEES regime. The £30,000 figure applies per property, not per tenancy — so a portfolio landlord with five non-compliant properties faces potential exposure of £150,000.

Enforcement is likely to intensify as 2030 approaches, particularly in areas where local authorities have active housing teams. Estate agents and letting agents will also be required not to market non-compliant properties for let.

The spending cap is the amount a landlord is required to invest in energy improvements before being allowed to claim an exemption. The current cap is £10,000 per property (spending that counts from October 2025 onward under the new regime).

In practice this means: if you spend £10,000 on qualifying improvements and your property still cannot reach EPC C, you can register an exemption and continue letting legally below band C. The exemption lasts for 5 years and must be renewed.

• The £10,000 cap is per property, not per tenancy
• Only spending on qualifying improvements counts — cosmetic works, decorating, and standard maintenance do not
• Spending from October 2025 counts toward the cap under the new rules
• You must still register the exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register — unregistered non-compliance is still enforceable
• Exemptions granted by surveyors (e.g. heritage buildings, conservation areas) have different rules

Not all property improvements improve your EPC rating. The certificate specifically measures the energy efficiency of the building fabric and the heating/hot water system. The works most likely to move the dial:

For most D-rated properties, loft insulation (if not already at 270mm) plus cavity wall insulation is usually enough to reach C. For solid-walled Victorian properties at E or below, solid wall insulation is typically necessary — this is the most expensive upgrade and is where the £10,000 spending cap becomes most relevant.

The current EPC methodology — SAP 2012 — is being replaced by the Home Energy Model (HEM), which launches in October 2026. HEM is a more sophisticated and accurate methodology that accounts for factors the current system doesn't, including thermal mass, overheating risk, and a more granular assessment of the building fabric.

What this means for landlords:

• Properties currently at C may drop to D under HEM — particularly older properties with specific construction types
• Some properties currently at D may improve under HEM — particularly those with certain insulation configurations
• EPCs issued under SAP 2012 remain valid for their 10-year term, but the compliance target in 2030 will be assessed against the HEM methodology
• Spending on improvements from October 2025 onwards counts under the new cap rules — so don't delay starting work
• Get a provisional HEM assessment on properties you're unsure about before investing in improvements based on the old SAP rating

1. 1Check your existing EPC — log in to the government's EPC Register (epcregister.com) to find the current rating, its expiry date, and the improvement recommendations listed on the certificate
2. 2Review the EPC recommendations — every EPC lists the improvements that would raise the rating and their estimated cost and impact
3. 3Commission a new EPC if yours is close to expiry or if significant work has been done since it was issued
4. 4Check your construction type — solid-walled properties (pre-1920 typically) have more limited improvement options than cavity-walled (1920s–1990s)
5. 5Get energy improvement quotes based on the EPC's recommendations before October 2026 while the SAP methodology is still in use

1. 1Audit every property in your portfolio — pull the current EPC rating and expiry date for each one
2. 2Identify which properties are already at C or above — those are compliant for 2030
3. 3For properties at D or below, review the EPC's recommended improvements and get quotes now
4. 4Prioritise loft insulation and cavity wall insulation first — these are typically the cheapest and most impactful improvements
5. 5For solid-walled properties at E or below, get a specialist assessment — you may be looking at a 'compliant improvement' exemption if costs exceed £10,000
6. 6Start spending on improvements from October 2025 — this is when the new cap rules begin and spending counts toward your £10,000 allowance
7. 7Register any valid exemptions on the PRS Exemptions Register as soon as you have the surveyor evidence
8. 8Get a HEM assessment from October 2026 to confirm your compliance position under the new methodology

Several of the most common and cost-effective improvements that move a property from D to C sit directly within LWR Group's scope of works — particularly for the building fabric and fabric improvements that don't require specialist energy contractors:

• Window and door upgrades — replacing single glazing or poor-quality double glazing with modern A-rated units. One of the more visible improvements and also contributes to the EPC rating
• Draught-proofing and sealing — closing up gaps around windows, doors, loft hatches, and pipework. Low cost, counts toward the EPC, and immediately improves comfort for tenants
• General fabric works — making good walls, ceilings, and floors in preparation for insulation installation by specialist contractors
• Pre- and post-improvement photography and documentation — essential if you need to evidence spending for an exemption

We work with a network of specialist insulation and renewable energy contractors and can coordinate the full improvement programme on your behalf — from initial assessment through to final EPC re-issue. If you have a portfolio of properties to work through before 2030, contact us for a portfolio assessment and improvement plan.