Originally published at: What Are the New EPC Rules for Landlords?
All private tenancies in England and Wales must achieve an EPC C rating by 1st October 2030, following the government’s 2026 roadmap. This single deadline replaces previous plans for a phased rollout, meaning both new and existing tenancies will have the same cutoff date. To hit this target, landlords may be required to invest up…
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I think this particular can may get kicked further down the road in due course.
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Just reviewed a 2023 EPC for a small 2-bed terrace (rated D, currently legal to rent).
To reach a C, it recommends:
• Loft insulation to 270mm
• Cavity wall insulation
Both are already installed — incorrectly assumed as missing.
It also says only 80% low-energy lighting, yet every bulb is LED (decorative LED filament bulbs apparently don’t count).
Then it suggests:
• Solar water heating (£4k–£6k) → saves £24/year
• Wind turbine (£1.5k–£4k) → saves £19/year
This is why a blanket EPC C rule is flawed: inaccurate assessments, unrealistic upgrades, and huge costs for negligible benefit.
The amount of problems caused by dodgy cavity wall insulation has made me avoid it wherever i can. An unnecessary risk.
Companies are making big numbers undoing such work, all courtesy of Mr Tax payer.
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I noticed on a flat I had bought nearly 10 years ago it was wrongly categorised as a house.
They came back to reassess at no charge, and renewed for 10 years.
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Assessors won’t make assumptions on what insulation had been installed nor do anything invasive to check but if you provide them with evidence reasonable quickly they should correct their assessment
Or better yet be present when they do the assessment and tell them what has been done presenting them with the evidence.
Best
One I have used previously has made an assumption of cavity wall insulation being installed based on the year of build, whereas I know there is none in place.
They do make written assumptions on their report, “Cavity no insulation assumed”
I have a 1900s terraced property and the EPC mentioned installing cavity wall insulation. Not sure where it would go though as the property doesn’t have cavity walls.
From experience the testers I’ve dealt with aren’t very knowledgeable.
You should get them to come back and do it properly or ask for a refund.
check the epc wording first tho. It may be written as an assumption based on the age/type of property tho. Cavity walls apparently became widespread and common in general housing from the 1920s and 1930s,
I’ve seen estate agents and even experienced Surveyors providing L3 surveys providing incorrect info they have likely wrongly cut n pasted from a prev doc. Expect EPC assessors do the same..
good luck
This is a classic EPC issue. The ‘knowledge’ behind many assessments comes from a three-day online course costing about £990 + VAT, followed by £60 a time EPCs. Unsurprisingly, solid-wall Victorian terraces still get recommended cavity wall insulation.
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It was one from years ago. A more recent EPC I had done, after supplying the inspector with a small ladder so he could access the loft , he then included the loft as liveable space and so the score went down. That one I did have altered as it made quite a significant difference to the rating. I was lead to believe he’d then been suspended until he had had more training as mine was one of a number of mistakes he’d made.
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The whole EPC assessment is a joke and your rating dependent on the quality of the assessor . I complained to Elmbridge , EPC commission in Brighton as my flat was a C, then a D then reassessed to an E. I was asked to drill holes in listed building wall to demonstrate insulation! Flat above mine in loft has a C. Did not show evidence. c rating for a flat In the loft! Crazy. Person dealing retired mid complaint and no one had her records then they got all argumentative and unprofessional when I complained. EPC assessors making loads money for 5 min flat assessments. Good career move if you are looking for money spinner as don’t need to know anything.
I have a flat in roof space with C rating no problem achieving it. Here is what I do when renovating. Roof space easy .Always have a lot hatch…… Kitchen wall or bathroom Leave ONE tile out with a square hole thru the insulation so the assessor can stick a tape measure in. …. Other external walls Fit an electric “false” double socket in place with a little square hole behind for a measure tape to go in Timber floor Removable square under a corner of the carpet. Wall in loft? Little hinged door into that space . Just needs a little thought ahead of the game. My assessor took about 30 mins.
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Wind turbine? Ridiculous, in a back yard?
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My building grade II listed so we r prohibited to do any changes in the structure.
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So you can get an exemption from the local council
Sounds good idea . Assessor takes year of build into account ie 180 years ago not the year of conversion, 18 years ago when synagogue converted to 9 flats. Who EPC thing is rubbish. Each flat insulation assessed individually yet n same building so they can’t be different! But r recorded differently. Elmhurst EPC commission so inconsistent and they are the assessors assessors.
Asking for things of building that’s listed in a conservation area.
I have just had a meeting with a “Landlord inspector” LA. Learnt a few things I did not know about Epc and Elec , certificates Listed buildings and and a few other buildings can be exempt from having to be E P C
Yes. I understand that which is good thing but in the building, 9 flats, no way on earth should there be such discrepancies and it comes down to the assessor. I’ve put in an official complaint to the governing body.