No, the requirement for landlords to fit EPC band C by 2028 in England and Wales has been scrapped by the UK government. The planned Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) upgrade from EPC E to EPC C was cancelled in September 2023 (GOV.UK, 2026). Landlords currently only need an EPC rating of E or above to let a property.
The 2028 deadline was part of the government’s 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy but was abandoned due to cost concerns for landlords and the wider cost-of-living crisis. However, this does not mean landlords can ignore efficiency upgrades entirely. The government’s current approach focuses on voluntary schemes and targeted support, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme, rather than a blanket mandate (Ofgem, 2026).
The scrapped 2028 deadline is not in force
The original MEES timeline would have required all new tenancies from 2025 and all existing tenancies from 2028 to have an EPC rating of C. The government formally withdrew these regulations, meaning no legal obligation exists to reach band C by 2028. Landlords still face the existing requirement to have an EPC rating of E or above, with a fine of up to £5,000 for non-compliance (GOV.UK, 2026).
Landlords in Scotland face different rules
In Scotland, the situation differs. The Scottish Government has not scrapped its EPC band C target. From 2025, private rented properties in Scotland must meet EPC band C at the start of a new tenancy, with all properties required to comply by 2028. Landlords who fail to comply face fines and restrictions on rent increases (GOV.SCOT, 2026). If you let property in Scotland, you must act now.
Grants and support remain available for upgrades
Even without a legal mandate, financial help exists for landlords who want to improve energy efficiency. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of up to £7,500 for replacing fossil-fuel heating with a heat pump (GOV.UK, 2026). The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. Landlords can also access up to £10,000 per property through the Home Energy Scotland loan scheme (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
A worked example
A landlord with a typical 1930s semi-detached home in Manchester currently has an EPC rating of E. Under the scrapped 2028 rules, they would have faced a bill of roughly £18,000 for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation top-up, a new A-rated gas boiler, and double glazing to reach band C. With the mandate removed, they can instead focus on the existing E rating requirement. However, the Energy Saving Trust estimates that upgrading to band C would still save the tenant around £410 per year on heating bills. The landlord could apply for ECO4 funding if the tenant receives certain benefits, covering some upgrade costs. Glazing is standard-rated for VAT at 20%. The zero rate for energy-saving materials covers insulation, heat pumps and solar panels; HMRC names secondary and double glazing as excluded (VAT Notice 708/6). The payback period for the landlord, if they passed on savings via higher rent, is roughly 42 years, making voluntary upgrades financially unattractive without grants.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Upfront cost after grants | £18,000 |
| Yearly savings | £410 |
| Payback period | 44 years |
| 25-year lifetime savings | £10,250 |
What homeowners often get wrong
The most common mistake landlords make is assuming the 2028 EPC band C deadline is still law, leading them to spend thousands unnecessarily on upgrades. Here are three frequent errors to avoid.
- Assuming the 2028 deadline is active Many landlords still believe they must reach band C by 2028, based on outdated news. The correct position is that the requirement was scrapped in September 2023, so only the E rating minimum applies in England and Wales, avoiding a wasted £5,000 to £15,000 on unnecessary work.
- Ignoring Scotland’s different rules Landlords with properties in Scotland often follow English rules by mistake. The correct approach is to check that Scottish properties need EPC band C for new tenancies from 2025, with fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance under Scottish regulations.
- Thinking grants are unavailable without a mandate Some landlords skip upgrades because they believe no financial help exists. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
Quick reference
- The 2028 EPC band C mandate for landlords in England and Wales was cancelled in September 2023 and is not in force.
- Landlords in England and Wales still legally require an EPC rating of E or above to let a property, with fines up to £5,000 for non-compliance.
- Scotland requires EPC band C for all new tenancies starting from 2025, with different rules for existing tenancies from 2028.
- Upgrading from EPC E to C costs roughly £15,000 to £25,000 for a typical 1930s semi-detached home, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
- ECO4 funding is available for landlords with tenants on qualifying benefits, covering some or all upgrade costs without a national mandate.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the 2028 EPC band C deadline for landlords in England and Wales was scrapped by the UK government in September 2023 (GOV.UK, 2026). Landlords currently only need an EPC rating of E or above.
Landlords in England need an EPC rating of E or above to let a property legally. The planned upgrade to band C was cancelled, so no higher mandate applies (GOV.UK, 2026).
Yes, in Scotland private rented properties must meet EPC band C at the start of a new tenancy from 2025. The Scottish Government has not scrapped its target, unlike England and Wales (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
