Landlords will struggle to hit looming EPC regulations in race against time

Just three in 10 landlords are confident that they’ll reach the EPC requirements deadline with ease with nearly half admitting they’ll reach it by the skin of their teeth, research from Mortgage Advice Bureau reveals.

Under proposed changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulation rental properties will need an EPC rating of at least C by 2028, with an earlier deadline of 2025 for new tenancies.

DEADLINE

For landlords, it is a race against time. Whilst 30% are confident they’ll reach the deadline with ease, almost half (46%) admitted it will be by the skin of their teeth as they retrofit properties.

Alongside landlords’ own desire to reduce their properties’ impact on the environment, tenant demand is also a key factor. Over three in ten (31%) of landlords believe the upgrades will make their properties more attractive by lowering tenants’ bills.

Nearly one in five (17%) landlords have been asked if the property they are letting is energy efficient, and 16% have been asked specifically about the EPC rating.

INFORMATION

Ben Thompson (main picture), Deputy Chief Executive at Mortgage Advice Bureau, says: “Landlords seem to be working with a lot of information in terms of regulations and deadlines that aren’t quite set in stone, yet the 2025 countdown remains for EPC rating improvements.

“Tackling the ongoing climate crisis is at the forefront of many of our minds and for landlords being able to help tenants navigate the economic climate of high energy bills is key.

“While many already have plans in place, concerns and an element of confusion remains. Exactly what landlords are working to, and by when, must be clarified as soon as possible, and this must be accompanied by support to help landlords improve EPC ratings.”