The minimum EPC C requirement for rental properties in England and Wales is now just six years away, yet the government has offered only a vague promise of financial help. The pledge, reported by Property118, states that support will be available for landlords who need to upgrade their properties, but no figures, no eligibility details, and no launch date have been provided.
As reported by Property118, the announcement came during a consultation response but left industry bodies and landlords frustrated by the lack of concrete detail. For a typical 3-bed semi currently rated D, reaching a C often requires loft insulation top-up, cavity wall fill, double or triple glazing, and a modern heating system, costs that can run from £5,000 to over £15,000 depending on the property’s age and condition.
What the pledge actually says
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed that it will provide “financial support” for landlords, but the wording in the consultation response is open-ended. The phrase “will be set out in due course” appears twice in the relevant paragraph. That is not a scheme. It is a placeholder. Officials have not confirmed whether the support will come as grants, low-interest loans, or tax relief, nor whether it will be means-tested or available to all landlords regardless of portfolio size.
The catch is that the clock is ticking. The minimum standard of EPC C applies to new tenancies from 2028 and all tenancies from 2030. Landlords who delay risk being unable to let their properties, with fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance. The government’s own impact assessment estimated the average cost per property at £4,700, but that figure assumes a relatively simple upgrade path, something many Victorian terraces and solid-wall homes cannot achieve without significantly more investment.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
At this stage, the support appears aimed at private landlords, but owner-occupiers are not mentioned. That matters because around 60% of UK homes are owner-occupied, and many of those are also below EPC C. The government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy already offers grants for heat pumps and insulation through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Great British Insulation Scheme, but those are capped and subject to eligibility criteria that exclude many households.
Landlords with portfolios of more than four properties may find themselves in a different category. The consultation response hints at “targeted support for small landlords,” suggesting larger operators might be expected to self-fund. The Energy Saving Trust has previously noted that the cost gap between D and C is often smallest for newer homes (1990s onwards) and largest for pre-1919 properties, where solid-wall insulation alone can cost £8,000–£12,000.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
Take a typical 3-bed semi from the 1970s with an EPC D. To reach a C, you would likely need: loft insulation (if less than 270mm), cavity wall insulation (if cavity walls exist), upgrading single-glazed windows to double glazing, and replacing an old gas boiler with an A-rated model or a heat pump. The total: around £8,000–£12,000. If the property has solid walls, the cost jumps to £15,000+ because internal or external wall insulation is required.
Ofgem’s data shows that the average household energy bill for a D-rated home is about £180 higher per year than for a C-rated home. That is a real saving, but it does not come close to covering the upfront cost. The government’s promised support, if it arrives, will need to bridge that gap to make compliance viable for many landlords.
What to do now
Until the government publishes firm details, the safest move is to plan. Get an EPC assessment now, it costs £60–£120 and will tell you exactly where your property stands. Identify the cheapest single upgrade that improves your rating (often loft insulation or low-energy lighting). Start phasing work over the next 12 months rather than waiting for a single expensive retrofit.
Landlords should also join the consultation response discussion. The government is still accepting feedback via the official channels. The more landlords who push for clear grant amounts and a simple application process, the better the final scheme is likely to be. The deadline for the minimum C standard is fixed. The support is not. Act now to avoid being caught out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The government has promised 'financial support' but has not specified amounts or coverage. It is unlikely to cover 100% of costs; past schemes like the Green Homes Grant covered up to two-thirds. Landlords should budget for a significant contribution themselves.
From 2028, new tenancies require EPC C; from 2030, all tenancies must comply. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to £30,000 and restrictions on letting the property. Early upgrades are strongly advised to avoid last-minute penalties.
