Private landlords in England and Wales have been praised for being one step ahead of the government’s energy efficiency certificate (EPC) rules after an official report revealed that the median EPC achieved by all properties within the sector is a band D.
For a property to be rented legally, a landlord or letting agent must obtain an EPC for a property that’s a Band E or above.
But there are Government proposals on the table for all rented properties to reach a Band C by December 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for existing ones.
The latest report on progress by the department of housing shows that in terms of median EPC band, flats and maisonettes have already reached a band C, while terraces and semis have much further to go, while detached houses are the least energy efficient.
Safe, secure, reform
“It is…good to see letting agents and landlords meeting the requirements and adhering to the rules – everyone wants to see rented property that is safe, secure and warm,” says Timothy Douglas, Policy Manager at Propertymark.
“But the UK Government’s latest proposals for EPC band C presents a much tougher challenge for many properties across the country.
“It is of no surprise that social rented dwellings are more energy efficient because the social rented sector has received significantly more funding to improve energy efficiency than the private rented sector, despite being the smallest housing tenure in England.
“With the wide range of property types in the private rented sector and proposals for a £10,000 cost cap, landlords across the country are being presented with financial and practical challenges, which if not tackled, could result in a reduction in supply and landlords exiting the market.”
Read the DLUHC official report in full.
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