The government has confirmed a new deadline requiring all landlords to bring rental properties up to an EPC rating of at least C by 1 October 2030, or to register a valid exemption. The requirement will apply to all rented homes, including those with existing tenants as well as new tenancies.

The announcement forms part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan and confirms a focus on a “fabric first” approach, prioritising measures such as insulation and window upgrades to improve energy efficiency.

Previous proposals that would have required landlords to spend up to £15,000 per property have been revised. The spending cap has been reduced to £10,000 per property, with lower caps applying to homes valued below £100,000. All qualifying energy efficiency improvements made from October 2025 will count towards the cap.

The Government has also removed the proposed 2028 compliance deadline for new tenancies, aligning all properties to the single 2030 deadline. In addition, funding support will be made available through low-interest loans.

Ministers have confirmed that the intention remains for all privately rented homes to reach EPC C, but with revised timescales and cost limits following consultation with the sector.

The changes have been welcomed by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “We have long supported the need to improve the energy efficiency of the rental housing stock. However, the government’s initial proposals were simply unrealistic and had no hope of being delivered within the timescales originally set out.

“The government has clearly listened to our pragmatic proposals to improve its plans, and we look forward to working with it to ensure its ambitions work in practice.”