Government U-turn as Warm Homes Plan sets EPC C deadline for 2030

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Government U-turn as Warm Homes Plan sets EPC C deadline for 2030

The government has U-turned on its plans and scrapped the 2028 deadline for new tenancies to meet EPC C targets, though the cost cap has been reduced.

The government has published its Warm Homes Plan, which will require landlords to ensure their rental properties meet minimum energy-efficiency standards.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says the plan will “call time on landlords who don’t meet energy-efficiency standards” and all private rented properties will need to meet EPC C targets by October 2030.

However, the government has yet to clarify how it will work with landlords to achieve these standards, with industry experts warning energy efficiency upgrades will be costly for landlords.

All properties need to meet EPC C targets by October 2030

In a video on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Miliband said the Warm Homes Plan “will call time on private landlords who meet proper energy-efficiency standards.

“If you are a tenant, you deserve to live in a safe, affordable and warm home.”

The government has confirmed under the Warm Homes Plan, all private rented properties will need to meet EPC C targets by October 2030, unless the property has a valid exemption.

Under the plans, landlords will be able to choose between the smart or heat metrics, and the cap on the amount they are expected to invest to meet the new standards will be reduced from £15,000 to £10,000.

The cost cap will be lower where £10,000 would represent 10% or more of a property’s value.

Any spending on energy-efficiency works carried out since October last year will also count towards the planned cap, and the government will deliver a range of finance options, including Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grants.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (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.”

Proposals are deeply concerning for landlords

However, many industry experts warn that the Warm Homes Plan proposals are deeply concerning for landlords, due to a lack of clear and long-term funding commitments.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “While the ambition of the Warm Homes Plan to improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty is acknowledged, the proposals as they stand are deeply concerning for landlords and agents across both the residential and commercial sectors.

“In the private rented sector, landlords are being asked to deliver, in many cases, substantial and costly upgrades to reach EPC C by 2030, yet this is being imposed without clear, long-term funding commitments, realistic delivery timescales, or sufficient flexibility for older, complex, and hard-to-treat properties.

“A phased and realistic approach would allow landlords to maintain the Decent Homes Standard, manage costs effectively, and contribute meaningfully to the UK Government’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2050.”

A one-size-fits-all approach to energy efficiency will not work

Mr Douglas adds the government has given little details for how commercial landlords will meet EPC B targets by 2030

He said: “Crucially, there remains no clarity on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for non-domestic property, despite expectations that commercial landlords will be required to meet EPC B by 2030. The absence of detail on interim targets, exemptions, enforcement, and financial support makes it impossible for landlords to plan responsibly or invest with confidence.

“Propertymark has consistently warned that a one-size-fits-all approach to energy efficiency will not work. Without certainty, genuine flexibility, and practical financial support, there is a serious risk that both residential and commercial landlords will withdraw properties from the market.

“This would reduce supply, drive up costs for tenants and businesses, and ultimately undermine the government’s stated objectives on affordability, energy efficiency, and economic growth.”

Compliance deadline of 2030 for all tenancies is unrealistic

Rob Wall, assistant director (Sustainability), British Property Federation, welcomed the 2030 deadline for private rented properties but warned it is still unrealistic.

He said: “At last we have some clarity on the government’s plans for domestic EPC reform and for new minimum energy efficiency standards for the private rented sector.

“We still believe a compliance deadline of 2030 for all tenancies is unrealistic, but we welcome the proposed transitional measures and the recognition that more consultation is needed to understand how the new EPC regime will work in practice.

“However, the government’s Warm Homes Plan has left commercial buildings out in the cold. The failure to provide any clarity on future minimum energy efficiency standards for the non-domestic private rented sector will do little to arrest the growing sense that Ministers don’t understand or see the case for supporting commercial real estate in its transition to net zero.”

“Further delays to clarifying EPC targets for commercial buildings will have a significant impact on investment and the UK’s competitiveness. While clarity on changes for domestic property will be welcome, the absence of a clear strategy to support the decarbonisation of commercial buildings risks undermining the government’s ability to deliver net zero by 2050.”

Landlords need clear guidance

Landlord organisation iHowz say they welcome the clarity on the 2030 EPC deadline, but due to it being provided at such a late stage, iHowz will push for more generous financial incentives and support to ensure homes can be retrofitted before the 2030 deadline.

Rodney Townson from landlord organisation iHowz said: “It is difficult to assess how many landlords will view this as too onerous, as without sufficient Fabric First Measures, to ensure adequate insulation, many of these measures will not be suitable for flats or other properties without space for the new equipment.

“The Warm Homes Plan presents both challenges and opportunities for landlords, requiring significant investment to meet the upcoming EPC C standard by 2030. While mandatory upgrades add costs, the accompanying government grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Local Grants offer vital support to install heat pumps and improve insulation, ultimately reducing tenant bills and cutting carbon.

“Our focus must be on ensuring landlords have clear guidance, timely access to these funds, and support to navigate the new EPC regulations, turning this into a shared success for sustainable, affordable, and compliant renting.”

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Tenant demand is easing but remains historically strong

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Tenant demand is easing but remains historically strong

Tenant demand across the private rented sector has eased slightly over the past year but remains strong by long-term standards.

The Landlord Trends data from Pegasus Insight shows that 68% of landlords still describe tenant demand in their area as strong.

That’s despite an 11 percentage point drop compared with a year earlier.

Of those surveyed, 30% said demand was very strong, while 38% described it as quite strong.

Only 5% reported weak demand.

Affordability playing a part

The firm’s managing director and founder, Mark Long, said: “This slight easing in perceived tenant demand doesn’t indicate any fundamental weakness in the rental market.

“Demand remains strong by historical standards, but we are starting to see a shift away from the exceptionally tight conditions of recent years.”

He added: “Affordability is now playing a bigger role in shaping behaviour on both sides of the market.

“Tenants are more cautious about moving, while landlords are balancing rising costs, regulation and the realities of what renters can afford.

“The result is a market that still has solid underlying demand, but one that is gradually becoming more measured and sustainable.”

Regional demand varies

The research found that regional variations persist, with landlords in the North East again recording the highest levels of demand.

The data shows that 71% of landlords there report strong interest, matching the previous quarter.

The East Midlands sits at the lower end of the scale, although 60% of landlords there still characterised demand as strong.

At the same time, voids have become more common with 44% of landlords experiencing an empty property at some point during the past 12 months.

Pegasus says that is an increase of 7% on the previous quarter.

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Renting by room and help with future eviction laws?

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Renting by room and help with future eviction laws?

I am struggling to understand the new Renters’ Rights Act regulations and eviction process. I hope you can help.

I currently rent 2 rooms in my flat out to two separate lodgers/tenants, and keep the 3rd bedroom in the flat for myself (though it is not my main home). The 2 lodgers (technically tenants?) have both stayed in the flat for 5-10 years.

I had known them for years, and therefore, they pay very low rent for their respective rooms compared to the market. I also pay their council tax, utilities, etc., so I subsidise their stay by paying for the bills myself.

While I have been happy with this arrangement at present (though I’m paying for bills that usually landlords don’t pay), in future, at some point, I would like to rent the whole flat out to a family as a normal rental.

Am I right in understanding that from May 2026, the new regulations will mean that I cannot request these tenants to leave the property in order to rent the flat to a single household?

What happens if one of the tenants leaves because of personal reasons, but the other decides to stay? Will I be forced to keep him in the flat indefinitely, even though he only pays for a room? Neither of the tenants have income enough to rent the whole flat themselves.

I understand I can only ask the tenants to leave if I am selling the property or moving in myself, but what options do I have if I want to rent the whole flat to someone?

If I can’t ask them to leave to rent out the flat properly, I wonder if I should be asking them to leave now, even though they are good tenants?

Rita

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Government reveals what must be included in Renters’ Rights Act tenancy agreements

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Government reveals what must be included in Renters’ Rights Act tenancy agreements

The government has released details of what information landlords must put in new tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act.

The information could be subject to change, with the final version expected in March, but is unlikely to change much before the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May.

The government has also confirmed that existing tenancies already in writing will not need to provide a new tenancy agreement, but will be expected to provide a separate information sheet to tenants outlining the changes in the Act.

The government will publish this in March, and it must be served to existing tenants no later than 31 May.

Mandatory information to be included in tenancy agreement

New tenancy agreements will have to include mandatory information such as:

• The name of the landlord (including all joint landlords) for the tenancy and name of all the tenants
• An address in England or Wales where notices can be served on the landlord
• The address of the property being let
• The date on which the tenant is entitled to possession of the property from
• The rent and when it is due
• A statement that the landlord must serve a Section 13 notice to increase rent
• Any bills that are included in the rent
• Any bills payable to the landlord that are in addition to the rent (ie. for utilities)
• The deposit amount if one is being taken

Most of this information is already included in tenancy agreements, but the government has introduced some new additions under the Renters’ Rights Act, including the right for tenants to request a pet:

• A statement that the tenant may request a pet in accordance with Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988 and that the landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent.
• The minimum notice period a tenant must give to terminate the agreement (usually two months).
• A statement that the landlord is obligated to ensure the property is fit for human habitation.
• A statement setting out the landlord’s obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
• A statement setting out the landlord’s obligations under the Electrical Safety Regulations.
• If there is gas in the property, a statement setting out the landlord’s obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

Landlords and letting agents could face fines

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, warns landlords they must provide tenants with the required information or face fines.

He said: “For new tenancies entered on or after 1 May 2026, tenants must be provided with the Written Statement of Terms and Information.

“Also, this applies to any current tenancies that are based on verbal agreements started before 1 May 2026. This will need to be done before a tenancy agreement is signed or otherwise agree the tenancy. The information can be provided within a written tenancy agreement or given separately.

“Failure to provide a compliant written statement can expose landlords and agents acting on their behalf to enforcement action, including a fine.”

“The list of information that will need to be included has been published in a draft Statutory Instrument. This information list is a draft and may change with a final version expected in March.”

Landlords won’t need to change a current tenancy agreement

He added: “Following feedback, we are pleased that the UK government has clarified when and how the information must be provided alongside tenancy agreements. Furthermore, the Written Statement of Terms includes an address where notices can be served on the landlord by tenants.

“However, the document should include the agent’s details if one is used and be future-proofed to include space for the landlord’s unique identifier to match information on the PRS Database.

“For existing tenancies (created before 1 May 2026), landlords won’t need to change a current tenancy agreement if one is in place or issue a new one. Instead, landlords with existing tenancies will need to provide tenants with a copy of the UK government published ‘Information Sheet’ on or before 31 May 2026.

“This will be published in March 2026. The information sheet must be given to all tenants named on a tenancy agreement. It can be provided electronically or in hard copy.”

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London tenants threaten legal action over excessive heat in flats

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London tenants threaten legal action over excessive heat in flats

Possession Friend has drawn attention to Property118 about a group of tenants threatening legal action against their housing association over excessive heat.

In what could be the first case of its kind, residents living in flats managed by PA Housing in Woolwich, London, claim the flats are not fit for purpose, with temperatures reaching 43°C in the summer.

Chris Daniel, founder of Possession Friend, told Property118 that landlords now appear to face criticism whether they under-improve or over-improve their properties’ energy efficiency, particularly through insulation.

He also questioned whether the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act was really needed, given the powers local authorities already have.

Building is inhumane

The BBC reports that residents are planning to take action against their housing association, marking the first claim filed for excessive heat under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

A resident living in Canada Court and Clifton Lodge in Woolwich told the BBC the building was not fit for purpose.

Chris Sayudo, chair of the tenant association at Clifton Lodge and Canada Court, said the buildings’ corridors reached 48 degrees in the summer.

He told the BBC: “It’s a combination of problems; the build-up of heat in the building, because there’s no real ventilation, and the fact there are leaks in the cupboards and communal areas means there is a massive amount of mould.

“Not just in communal areas, but in our flats as well, because we don’t have ventilation. There’s a built-in new air ventilation system but it doesn’t do anything. It’s not effective.”

Will be putting measures in place to monitor internal temperatures

The BBC claim when they went to film the flats last year the communal cupboards were covered in thick black mould.

However, the housing association told the BBC they have now cleaned the mould and are supporting residents.

Michael McDonagh, chief executive of PA Housing, said the issue was mainly concentrated to communal intake cupboards rather than residents’ homes.

He told the BBC: “This is an issue that, we agree, needs to be addressed across the housing sector. Like most properties in the UK, Canada Court and Clifton Lodge were designed to keep heat in rather than keep them cool.

“However, when they were built, they met all relevant planning and building regulations at the time.

“All the same, we will be putting measures in place to monitor internal temperatures at both buildings as a way of understanding whether this is just an issue during excessive heat or throughout the year so we can support residents as much as we can.”

“This is a difficult situation that the sector and the government, not just PA Housing, need to address.”

Can you make a property too energy-efficient?

Mr Daniel tells Property118 that many private landlords remain concerned about the uncertainty surrounding EPC C requirements and questions whether cases such as this show how the legislation may be interpreted in practice

He said: “Landlords will want to ensure a good level of thermal efficiency for the benefit of their tenants and their properties. However, can you make a property ‘too energy efficient’?

“Many private landlords are still concerned about the uncertainty surrounding EPC C requirements and it would seem that you can, in this case, where a group of tenants complain that flats are too hot and therefore unfit for human habitation.

“Didn’t landlords express concern about how this legislation would be used and whether there was even a need for it, given local authority powers under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)”

He adds: “If there could be any concerns about excess heat, then perhaps landlords add temperature checks to their morning routine and open windows before serving tenants breakfast in bed!”

When asked by Property118 for comment on the legal action case, PA Housing declined to comment.

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Discrimination against benefit tenants under the Renters’ Rights Act?

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Discrimination against benefit tenants under the Renters’ Rights Act?

The Renters’ Rights Act is trying to prevent overt discrimination (blanket no DSS policies) when private letting.

At the moment, if a tenant approaches you, and they are claiming benefits at an existing address, then this claim is tied to this specific circumstance at this particular time, i.e. at X address and X benefit subsidy is agreed according to the claimant’s own specifics.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), who pay the contribution towards housing costs according to the person’s claim, will only reassess the claim and, ergo, the level of rent subsidy it will make only AFTER the tenant has declared a change of circumstance. Therefore, the tenant will have already moved and been supplied a copy of a signed AST.

How is it possible then that an applicant who is receiving any rent subsidy can provide evidence that the affordability criteria can be met until they have moved in?

The landlord has no idea what the current claim involves and how it will be affected by a change in circumstance, and neither does the DWP until it happens. At the application stage, therefore, the amount of rent subsidy that may be granted to the claimant is unconfirmed.

Given that no landlord is legally mandated to let a property to anyone who cannot prove affordability BEFORE a tenancy can be offered, is this now what we will all be focusing on to avoid accusations of discrimination when letting?

Thanks,

Reluctant landlord

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Property market sees strong start to 2026

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Property market sees strong start to 2026

The property market has rebounded at the start of 2026, with the highest number of homes for sale in eight years, according to new data.

Research from property portal Zoopla shows buyer demand has surged, although it remains 10% below levels seen at the start of 2025.

However, demand is more than 20% higher than at the beginning of 2023 and well above pre-pandemic levels recorded between 2017 and 2019.

Positive to see a strong rebound in buyer demand

According to Zoopla, 2026 started with the average estate agent having 32 homes for sale, the highest level in early January since 2018.

The growth in the number of homes for sale compared to a year ago is greatest in London, up 16% on last year followed by the South East, up 9%.

Southern regions were most impacted by Budget uncertainty which stalled sales in the final months of 2025 meaning more homes carried over into 2026.

Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “After a sluggish end to 2025 it is positive to see a strong rebound in buyer demand over the first weeks of the year across all parts of the country. Growing numbers of homes for sale is evidence of a strong underlying appetite to move home for many households.  Market conditions vary widely across the UK, and sellers looking to move home in 2026 need to take this into account when planning their home move.

“Across much of southern England, there is a much greater choice of homes for sale. Buyers are price-sensitive and have more choice, so achieving the best result depends on setting a competitive asking price and attracting early interest. Homes priced too high often take longer to sell and at the risk of achieving a lower price. It is important that homeowners price carefully and seek the advice of agents to plan the right strategy for their home sale.”

He adds: “Across the rest of the country there is a degree of scarcity, but sellers need to remain realistic over pricing. The market is stable rather than booming. Buyers are active but careful, which means pricing correctly from the outset is crucial. Homes that are well-presented and realistically priced continue to sell, while those priced optimistically will take longer and may need price reductions to attract interest.”

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NRLA urges clarity as Renters’ Rights Act could overwhelm courts

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NRLA urges clarity as Renters’ Rights Act could overwhelm courts

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has warned court capacity could be overwhelmed by the Renters’ Rights Act.

In a letter to the Justice Select Committee, NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle pointed out that landlords are having to wait weeks for court hearings to regain possession of their properties.

With three months to go until the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, the association is urging the government to do more to prepare the courts.

Government has yet to define what it means by the courts being “ready

According to government statistics, it now takes an average of over 34 weeks between a landlord making a claim to the courts to possess a property under the grounds-based Section 8 process and a property being repossessed, the highest level in four years.

Mr Beadle points out that industry experts, including the Master of the Rolls, who oversees the operation of the civil courts, have warned that abolishing Section 21 “will undoubtedly create more contested possession cases than we have had hitherto” and expressed concern about how prepared the county courts are to handle an increase in cases.

In a letter to the Justice Select Committee, Mr Beadle warns that the government has not provided clarity on how the courts will be prepared for the digital possession process.

He said: “At Report Stage of the Renters’ Rights Act, the Housing Minister told the Commons that: “Court readiness is essential to the successful operation of the new system”. We agree with the Minister.

“However, the government has yet to define what it means by the courts being “ready”. Without that clarity, it is unclear what the planned digitisation of possession cases is intended to deliver or how success will be measured.

“More broadly, whilst the Master of the Rolls has indicated that the “first iteration” of the new digital platform to process possession cases is expected to be released in late Spring 2026, it remains unclear what this will look and feel like in practice for tenants and landlords, or the extent to which it will speed up the processing of legitimate possession claims.”

Government is sending contradictory messages

Mr Beadle says the government is sending contradictory messages over tribunal data, claiming it will intervene if the Tribunal becomes overwhelmed while admitting it lacks the basic information to make that assessment.

He explains: “In response to a recent written question from Lord Carter of Haslemere (HL10508), the Minister reaffirmed that the government would use the proposed safeguard in the Act “if the Tribunal appears at risk of being overwhelmed by a sharp increase in challenges” and that this would be subject to the affirmative procedure.

“However, in reply to a related written question (HL10509), the Justice Minister, Baroness Levitt, stated that HM Courts & Tribunals Service does not hold data on the average time for the First- tier Tribunal Property Chamber to consider, process and rule upon rent appeal cases, and that such data could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

“This creates an obvious tension. Ministers have said the government will intervene if the Tribunal becomes overwhelmed, which the Master of the Rolls has warned is very possible.

“However, the Ministry of Justice does not hold the basic data needed to assess the current caseload or to define what level of increase would constitute the Tribunal being ‘overwhelmed’. Without this information, it is difficult to see how the government can effectively determine when the new powers should be exercised.”

The NRLA is calling on the Justice Select Committee to question the government for more clarity on how the courts will be prepared for the new system.

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We are feeling SO trapped?

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We are feeling SO trapped?

We had planned to sell our 4 BTLs when we retired in 2015, but time seems to have slipped by, and we are still trapped with 3 of them. Two of them have been tenanted by the same people since 2006, and the third is currently vacant.

With all the nasty stuff coming down the line at private landlords, and as we are now in our mid-late 70s, we decided to grasp the nettle, and so, in the autumn of 2025, we put all 3 on the market with an agent who would list them on an auction site, hoping to sell them quickly to another investor.

None of them sold. We took the 2 that are tenanted off the market, leaving just the vacant one, where it has been ever since, sadly still with no serious interest. The interest-only mortgage ends in September, when it will either need to be repaid or we will need to find another deal.

Now we’re wondering whether we should re-let the vacant one and put the other 2 on the open market, sucking up the Early Redemption fees on their (newish) mortgages should they sell.

Our questions are:

• What is the last date we can issue a Section 21 before the Renters’ Rights Act comes in?
• What is the longest notice we could give our tenants at that time?

And should they still fail to sell within a reasonable time (since we will be covering both mortgages, full council tax x 2, vacant property insurance x 2 etc which will eat up our pension pots) would we be able to re-let them after issuing the Section 21s before the RRA comes in, or would we need to leave them empty for a year as by then the RRA would be in force?

Or … should we just stick with our good tenants (selling if/when they move out), keep our fingers crossed we can weather the legislation, the expense of getting all 3 up to an EPC C (not to mention deciphering Making Tax Difficult) and leave it to our kids to sort the mess out when we’re pushing up daisies???

Denise

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January house prices jump 2.8% as buyer confidence returns

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January house prices jump 2.8% as buyer confidence returns

The average asking price of newly listed homes jumped to £368,031 in January, marking a 2.8% rise from December and the biggest January increase ever recorded.

According to Rightmove, the £9,893 monthly increase is also the strongest rise seen in any month since June 2015.

National prices are now 0.5% above levels seen a year ago as confidence improves following last autumn’s Budget uncertainty.

Stock levels are at their highest since 2014, and a third of homes have already reduced their asking prices, signalling that competition remains intense.

Listing at higher prices

Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: “It’s an encouraging start to the year to see sellers confident enough to list their homes at higher prices after several months of muted price growth last year, coinciding with more potential buyers returning to market.

“However, asking prices are only back to where they were in the summer of 2025 before the Budget rumours began surfacing, which unsettled the market and dented confidence.

“This new year, seller confidence is a good sign.”

She added: “There’s a 12-year high number of homes for sale for this time of year, so buyers have lots of choice, and a third of properties that were already on the market for sale have had a price reduction.”

Buyers return

The price rebound reflects a return of movers to the market with buyer enquiries climbing 57% in the two weeks after Christmas compared with the fortnight before.

New listings rose by 81% and the traditional Boxing Day bounce was particularly strong.

Rightmove says its platform saw its busiest ever day for traffic.

While recent demand is lower than the stamp-duty-driven rush seen at the start of 2025, it broadly matches levels recorded in 2024.

Most areas saw rises

Regional trends remain mixed with most areas recording price growth in January.

However, the East Midlands and Scotland moved against the wider pattern with month-on-month declines.

Rightmove’s mortgage tracker shows the average two-year fixed rate has fallen to 4.29%, down from 5.03% a year earlier.

That’s the lowest level since before the September 2022 mini-Budget.

The cheapest two-year deals for borrowers with larger deposits now start from 3.47%.

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