The minimum EPC rating for rented homes will rise to C in 2028, and 40% of private rental properties in England still sit at D or below. That is a hard deadline, not a target.
As The Telegraph reports, landlords can boost their EPC rating with five cheap, easy fixes, but the article does not say how much each measure costs or which grants cover them. This matters because a 2024 survey by the National Residential Landlords Association found that 72% of landlords would not invest in energy upgrades without financial support.
What the five fixes cost a typical 3-bed semi
The Telegraph lists draught-proofing, LED lighting, loft insulation top-ups, smart thermostats, and radiator reflector panels. The cost breakdown for a 90m² semi-detached house in Manchester:
- Draught-proofing: £80–£120 for doors, windows, and chimney balloons. Saves £40–£60 a year on heating bills, according to Energy Saving Trust.
- LED bulbs: £15–£30 for 10 bulbs. Saves £35 a year. That is a 100% return in year one.
- Loft insulation top-up: £300–£400 for 270mm depth. Cuts heat loss by 25% and saves £180–£220 annually. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
- Smart thermostat: £80–£200, installation included. Reduces heating use by 8–12% on average, per a 2023 Energy Systems Catapult trial.
- Radiator reflector panels: £30–£60 for 10 panels. Each panel saves about £5 a year.
Total: £505–£810. That is less than the typical £1,200 cost of a single EPC assessment and re-issue.
Who qualifies, and who does not
The catch is that most grants target owner-occupiers or social housing. Private landlords can access the ECO4 scheme, but only if their tenant receives a qualifying benefit. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
Landlords without benefit-claiming tenants can still claim the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (heat pumps) or Home Energy Scotland grants, but those are not cheap fixes. For the five measures listed, most landlords will pay full price, though the 2024 Autumn Budget extended the Landlord Insulation Grant pilot in North East England to 2026.
What this misses, and what to do by 2028
Draught-proofing and LED bulbs are no-brainers. But they will not lift a D-rated property to C on their own. The EPC calculation gives most weight to wall insulation (35%), floor insulation (15%), and heating system efficiency (20%). Cheap fixes contribute maybe 10–15 points combined, enough to move a low-D to a high-D or a high-D to a C, but not a G or F.
Landlords with properties at E or below need cavity wall insulation (£800–£1,200) or a new boiler (£2,500–£4,000) to reach C. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 for a heat pump, which can add 10–15 EPC points and halve running costs if the property is well-insulated.
Ofgem confirmed in February 2025 that the minimum C requirement will apply to all new tenancies from 2028, with a phased rollout for existing tenancies by 2030. Penalties for non-compliance start at £5,000 per property per year.
Households on standard variable tariffs can check grant eligibility through gov.uk from 4 November 2025. Landlords should book an EPC assessment now to identify the cheapest path to C, and budget for at least one fabric upgrade before the deadline hits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Landlords can deduct the full cost of energy-efficiency improvements from their rental income before calculating tax, under the 'revenue expenditure' rules. This includes draught-proofing, insulation, and smart thermostats. Consult a tax adviser for specific cases.
Yes. From 2028, landlords of properties rated D or below cannot grant new tenancies. Enforcement by local authorities can result in fines of up to £5,000 per property per year. Existing tenancies must comply by 2030.
