Big Changes Landlords Need to be Aware of: The Proposed EPC Overhaul

If you’re a landlord or property investor, the government’s proposed overhaul of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is something you cannot afford to ignore. These changes are shaping up to be the most significant shift in energy-efficiency standards in years - yet many landlords are still unaware of how far-reaching the reforms could be.

The property sector is expecting a complete reset: new metrics, shorter validity periods, more frequent EPC requirements, and a stronger emphasis on building performance rather than simple running costs. Here’s what’s coming - and what you should be doing now to prepare.

What’s changing - and why it matters

1. New EPC metrics

Current EPCs focus heavily on estimated energy cost. Under the proposed NEW system, this will be replaced with a much broader assessment, looking at:

• Fabric performance - insulation quality, heat loss, building structure
• Heating-system efficiency and carbon impact
• Smart-readiness - suitability for modern, low-carbon heating and energy-saving technology

This could dramatically change the score of some properties, especially older homes and those with traditional gas heating.

2. Shorter EPC validity

The government is considering moving from 10-year certificates to a 2–7 year renewal cycle, depending on the building type and heating system. For landlords, this means more frequent compliance checks and potentially more upgrades over a property’s lifetime.

3. EPC needed before marketing

The current 28-day grace period could be removed, meaning a valid EPC must be in place before marketing a property for sale or rent. Renewals may also be required when an EPC expires, even mid-tenancy.

4. Broader scope

More property types may fall under the EPC regime, including:

• Short-term lets
• Holiday lets
• Certain HMO rooms let on individual agreements

When will this happen?

Although details are still being finalised, the current timeline suggests:

• New EPC methodology launching in the second half of 2026
• Minimum standards for new tenancies from 2028
• Minimum standards for all tenancies by 2030
• Possible £15,000 cost cap on required improvements

This is a moving picture - but the direction of travel is clear.

Should landlords improve their gas-heated properties and get a new EPC now?

In short: for many landlords, yes - it can be a smart strategy. But it won’t be right for everyone.

Why upgrading and renewing now can be beneficial

1. A new EPC today is valid for 10 years
Banking a newly improved EPC now gives you breathing space through most of the 2030s — potentially avoiding early pressure under the new regime.

2. Gas heating scores better under the current methodology
Modern gas boilers currently perform well on EPCs.
Under the new system - which focuses more on:
- heat loss
- carbon emissions
-fabric performance

Gas systems may not score nearly as strongly - So a property that achieves a C now may drop under the new metrics.

3. Avoiding a scramble later

Once the reforms go live, EPCs:

• could be required more frequently,
• may become stricter,
• and may require more intrusive upgrades.

Securing a compliant rating now reduces short-term uncertainty.

But acting now isn’t right for everyone

1. The reforms aren’t final - You shouldn’t undertake expensive works purely to “chase a C” until the final rules are confirmed.

2. Some homes need costly upgrades - Older or hard-to-insulate properties may require thousands of pounds of work to reach a C - and this may not be a good use of capital until the legislation is clearer.

3. EPCs may be shortened across the board
We don’t yet know whether existing 10-year EPCs will be allowed to run their full course once the new system launches.

Our practical recommendation

• If your property is already close to a C, or only needs light upgrades (insulation, heating controls, LED lighting):
  → Yes - upgrade and renew now.
• If upgrades will be expensive or disruptive:
  → Wait for the final guidance before investing heavily.
• If you plan to sell or remortgage soon:
  → Securing a stronger EPC now may improve marketability and valuation.

What landlords should be doing now

• Review insulation, heating systems, and smart controls
• Collect documentation for past improvements - it may matter more under the new regime
• Budget and plan ahead for 2026–2030 changes
• Factor EPC updates into your refurbishment strategy
• Keep an eye on government announcements as details firm up

These proposed changes aren’t just tweaks - they represent a fundamental shift in how properties are assessed, valued, and regulated. Acting early where it makes sense can protect both your rental business and your property’s long-term value.