Renters’ Rights Act depends on council enforcement claims tenant group

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Property118

Renters’ Rights Act depends on council enforcement claims tenant group

A tenant group claims the “Renters’ Rights Act will only be as effective as how well it is enforced”, as they claim councils need more enforcement powers.

Speaking to the London Assembly Housing Committee on the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, the Renters’ Reform Coalition claimed local authorities have not used existing powers to prosecute landlords.

Generation Rent, who also spoke at the committee, claimed Awaab’s law needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

Renters’ Rights Act places several new obligations on councils

Niamh Evans, policy officer at Renters’ Reform Coalition, told the Housing Committee: “The Renters’ Rights Act will only be as effective as how well it is enforced.

“The act does place several new obligations on local authorities to protect renters’ rights and actually take enforcement action, but they currently aren’t able to enforce the existing system of rights that we have.

“For example, in the three-year period to 2024, over a third of councils didn’t prosecute a single landlord. In the last three years, only one landlord in London was prosecuted for an illegal eviction.

“Clearly, we have our work cut out in boosting capacity, and we would like councils to take various opportunities to boost their enforcement, whether that’s through on-the-spot fines and new inspection powers that are enabled by the new act, but also looking at some of the existing frameworks, such as expanding selective licensing.

“40% of London councils do not operate a single selective licensing scheme and this could help boost their capacity and provide a stable source of funding.”

Don’t need duplication of selective licensing

However, the Renters’ Reform Coalition failed to mention that, since December last year, councils have new powers under the Renters’ Rights Act to carry out surprise inspections, including entering premises where tenancy records are kept, and to issue fines running into thousands of pounds.

As previously reported by Property118, Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), also spoke at the committee meeting and pointed out that selective licensing schemes should not be needed under the Renters’ Rights Act.

He said: “The Renters’ Rights Act will deal with licensing. It will create a database for landlords, and every property will be listed on it. If you don’t register your property, you will face a fine. With this system in place, you don’t need the duplication of selective licensing.

“Local authorities have become addicted to this cash, and it’s difficult to replace. The database system will allow for targeted enforcement and give renters the information they need, without the need for double licensing.”

Ten years for the Decent Homes Standard is far too long

Elsewhere during the committee meeting, Generation Rent claimed the implementation date of Awaab’s law for 2027 and the Decent Homes Standard for 2035 is too late.

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “Ten years for the Decent Homes Standard is far too long and it creates uncertainty about whether there will even be a government committed to delivering it by that point.

“Awaab’s Law is such a simple law built on an awful tragedy. All it does is introduce clear timescales within which landlords must deal with serious hazards.

“There is no reason to wait years just to say these issues need to be addressed within a reasonable period of time, so bringing Awaab’s Law forward, ideally to this year, would be far better.

“As for the Decent Homes Standard, it would only require changes to properties that are not already decent.”

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Ground rents for leaseholders to be capped

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Ground rents for leaseholders to be capped

The government has announced that ground rents in England and Wales will be capped at £250 a year for leaseholders.

Under the plans, they will fall to a peppercorn rent after 40 years, meaning no payment at all.

The cap will apply to most residential leasehold agreements signed before July 2023, removing future shocks for homeowners budgeting over the long term.

No new leasehold flats

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, announced the cap in a TikTok video, saying: “I’ve spoken to so many people who say this will make a difference to them worth hundreds of pounds.”

The reforms will be published in the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, which will be introduced today (Tuesday).

Developers will also be barred from selling most new flats as leasehold.

Instead, new apartment blocks will be built under a commonhold structure, where residents collectively own and manage the building and the land beneath it.

The government is consulting on how the shift will work in practice, including limited exemptions and transition arrangements.

Convert to commonhold

Existing leaseholders are not excluded, and the proposals will make it easier for current flat owners to convert from leasehold to commonhold if they choose.

Doing so will allow them to access the same rights as those buying new homes.

The government is also moving to end forfeiture, a long-standing rule that can see homeowners lose their property over relatively small debts.

In its place, a court-led process with tighter safeguards will apply only in more serious cases.

Transparency on fees

Further measures aim to improve transparency around service charges and building costs.

Bills will be clearer, routes to challenge unfair fees strengthened and landlords or managing agents held to higher standards, reducing unexplained increases.

Reforms will also extend to nearly two million households living in freehold homes on privately managed estates.

They currently pay additional charges for shared spaces, a practice often labelled ‘fleecehold’.

Ministers say they want to curb its future use and give homeowners more protection.

Other leasehold plans

Other plans include banning a century old legal power that allows harsh penalties for missed payments.

The government will also introduce standardised estate charge statements, enabling tribunals to replace failing management firms.

There will also be a proposal on whether resident-run management should become the default.

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Rent Guarantee Insurance – Does It Really Work for Landlords?

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Property118

Rent Guarantee Insurance – Does It Really Work for Landlords?

Tenant default is one of the biggest risks for landlords. Even with strong referencing, job losses, illness, or disputes can leave tenants unable or unwilling to pay. Rent guarantee insurance (RGI) promises to protect landlords against these losses, but the detail of each policy makes a huge difference. This article explains how RGI works, what’s usually covered, common exclusions, and what landlords should check before buying.

What Rent Guarantee Insurance Covers

A typical RGI policy pays landlords when tenants stop paying rent, usually from the date of default until the tenant vacates or possession is obtained. Cover usually includes:

• Monthly rent payments – up to a specified limit (e.g. £2,500 or £3,000 per month).
• Maximum duration – often 6 or 12 months of unpaid rent.
• Legal expenses – to fund possession proceedings and eviction if necessary.
• Alternative accommodation – occasionally included if tenants must be rehoused during legal processes (less common).

Eligibility and Referencing Requirements

RGI is not a blanket safety net. Policies are only valid if strict referencing criteria are met at the start of the tenancy. Typical requirements include:

• Full credit check – confirming no adverse CCJs or bankruptcies.
• Employer’s reference – verifying stable employment and sufficient income.
• Previous landlord reference – for existing tenants moving between rentals.
• Guarantor – sometimes required for students, self-employed tenants, or those with weaker credit.
• Deposit compliance – correct registration of deposits or valid deposit replacement schemes.

Failure to meet or document these requirements is the most common reason claims are declined.

Exclusions to Watch For

• Pre-existing arrears – cover only starts for arrears after the policy is in place.
• Unreferenced tenants – if references aren’t completed to the policy standard, claims may fail.
• Tenancy type restrictions – some policies exclude HMOs, students, or DSS tenants unless approved in advance.
• Delays in notification – landlords must notify insurers quickly once arrears begin, often within 30 days.
• Void periods – rent guarantee only covers arrears, not general voids between tenancies.

RGI vs Loss of Rent Insurance

Landlords often confuse rent guarantee with loss of rent cover. They are very different:

• Rent guarantee – covers unpaid rent due to tenant default.
• Loss of rent – covers loss of income after an insured peril (e.g. fire, flood) makes the property uninhabitable.

Both types of cover are valuable, but they serve different purposes. Savvy landlords often hold both.

Case Example

A landlord let a flat to a young professional. Six months in, the tenant lost their job and stopped paying rent. Because the landlord had completed full referencing and notified the insurer within the policy deadline, rent guarantee insurance paid the monthly rent for nine months until possession was regained. The policy also covered legal fees for eviction, saving the landlord thousands of pounds. Without RGI, the landlord would have lost over £12,000 in income.

Checklist Before Buying RGI

• Confirm the monthly rent limit covers your tenancy.
• Check the maximum payout period (6, 12, or more months).
• Review eligibility rules – referencing, guarantors, tenancy type.
• Understand the notification window for arrears.
• Clarify whether the policy includes legal expenses and up to what limit.

Final Thoughts

Rent guarantee insurance can be a lifesaver for landlords, but only if the referencing process is followed and claims are reported promptly. For those willing to maintain good records and act quickly on arrears, it provides valuable cash flow protection. Always check the small print before relying on it.

Request your quote or call-back

The most efficient way to get a personal quote with the best price and cover possible is to call the team on 01832 770965 so we can focus on your enquiry when you are ready and sitting down with your portfolio details to hand.

Alternatively, you can use the form below to request one of our team to give you a call back.

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Publication date: Tuesday 27 January 2026

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Tenant group urges freeze on evictions and rent increases following floods

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Property118

Tenant group urges freeze on evictions and rent increases following floods

A tenant group has demanded a freeze on evictions and rents during any post-flood repairs.

ACORN says there is no national voice for tenants on flooding, and renters bear the brunt of the consequences.

However, ACORN fails to mention that renters can take out insurance to protect their belongings in case of flooding.

Freeze on evictions and rent rises

In a policy document, the group says: “In England, landlords are responsible for making repairs to a property after flooding, and tenants can claim for a rent reduction while the repairs are carried out. While this is a good thing in principle, it is gravely undermined by the lack of protection from eviction for the tenants through this process.

“People will stay in terrible conditions because they are worried they will be evicted if they get the landlords to make the necessary repairs. Tenants should not have to choose between living in a potentially dangerous property and risking eviction.”

ACORN is now calling for a freeze on rents and evictions during flooding to help tenants and

The group adds: “There should be a freeze on evictions and rent rises during any improvement works and after they have been completed for a certain period, in order to ensure tenants feel empowered to demand repairs and to make sure that costs are not passed onto them.

“Until such national protections are in place, housing providers with properties in flood-prone areas should introduce policies that guarantee no evictions or rent hikes in the event of flooding.”

The group adds that funds should be made available to community organisations such as ACORN for flood resilience projects.

Only 46% of tenants hold contents insurance

However, ACORN fails to mention that if a rental property is flooded, it is the landlord’s responsibility to pay out of their own pocket for repairs to the property and any landlord-provided furnishings, and landlord insurance will typically cover alternative accommodation while repairs are carried out.

For tenant belongings, tenants need to take out contents insurance themselves to protect their belongings. However, as previously reported by Property118, only 46% of the UK’s private tenants currently hold contents insurance.

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EPC C targets should not require landlords to raise rents claims government

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Property118

EPC C targets should not require landlords to raise rents claims government

The government claim landlords will not have to raise rents to meet EPC C targets by 2030, despite a government consultation claiming the opposite.

Under the Warm Homes Plan, the government announced all private rented properties will need to meet EPC C targets by 2030.

However, a government consultation on meeting EPC C targets admits landlords may sell up or increase rents due to EPC rules.

Our proposed changes should not require landlords to increase rents

In response to a written question from Conservative MP Paul Holmes on “whether the government has made an assessment of the potential impact of the costs of new energy efficiency measures on the level of open market rents.”

Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers, said landlords would not need to raise rents.

He said: “The government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector, including proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.

“We have engaged with landlord and tenant groups in developing this policy and set out several proposals to help landlords reach the new standard.

“Our proposed changes should not require landlords to increase rents. Instead, they will help tenants cut their energy bills by delivering more energy-efficient homes.”

Landlords may decide to leave the market

However, as previously reported on Property118, a government consultation documents admits some landlords could choose to sell rather than comply with EPC rules.

The document says: “Landlords may decide to exit the market. The likelihood of this is dependent on the current profitability of their rental property, the level of costs they face, the price landlords would receive from the sale of their property and their wider financial circumstances.

“The prices of EPC F/G PRS properties affected by the current regulations (requiring PRS properties to be EPC E) decreased by about £5,000 to £9,000, relative to unaffected properties.

“If a similar situation were to arise in the context of higher Minimum Energy-Efficiency Standards (MEES), landlords may decide it is more profitable to improve properties and remain as landlords. However, landlords who face the highest costs may decide, on balance, it is still less costly to sell their property than comply with the higher energy performance standard.”

The document also says some landlords may also decide instead to pass costs onto tenants through higher rents, but some tenants may decide to stay if higher rents are offset by lower energy bills.

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How Mortgage Valuations Work for Buy-To-Let Properties

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How Mortgage Valuations Work for Buy-To-Let Properties

When applying for a buy-to-let mortgage, one of the most important steps is the valuation. Lenders need to know both the market value of the property and the expected rental income. In 2026, with affordability tighter and specialist properties more common, valuations are under greater scrutiny than ever. Understanding how valuations work helps landlords avoid surprises and prepare stronger applications.

The Role of Valuations in Buy-To-Let Lending

A valuation serves two purposes for lenders:

• Market value check – ensures the property is worth the price paid or remortgage amount requested.
• Rental assessment – confirms rental income assumptions for affordability testing.

If either the property value or the rental assessment comes in lower than expected, the loan amount may be reduced or the application declined.

Types of Valuation in 2026

Lenders may use different valuation methods depending on the case:

• Desktop or AVM (Automated Valuation Model) – quick, low-cost checks used for low-risk cases and product transfers.
• Drive-by valuation – surveyor views the property externally to verify condition and comparables.
• Full internal inspection – detailed inspection including rental comparables and tenancy information.
• Commercial-style valuation – used for larger HMOs and semi-commercial properties, often based on income rather than bricks-and-mortar.

How Rental Income Is Assessed

Surveyors assess rent by looking at comparable local properties and current tenancy agreements. They may take a conservative view, particularly if the property has unusual features or higher-than-average rents.

Example: A landlord believes a flat rents for £1,200, but the valuer uses £1,100 based on comparables. At a 145% stress test, this reduction could mean borrowing £15,000 less.

Valuations for HMOs and Holiday Lets

Specialist properties are valued differently:

• Small HMOs (up to 6 tenants) – often valued as standard houses, with rent assessed per room.
• Larger HMOs – usually valued on a commercial basis, using rental income as the driver of value.
• Holiday lets – income projections may be based on average seasonal occupancy, not peak rents.

This means landlords should prepare realistic income evidence and be ready for cautious assumptions.

Case Study: Valuation Shortfall

Scenario: A landlord applied to remortgage a three-bed house at £250,000, expecting rent of £1,200 per month. The valuer reported £240,000 market value and rent of £1,100.

Outcome: The lower figures reduced the maximum loan by £20,000. The landlord had to inject extra funds to complete the refinance.

Lesson: Always allow for cautious valuations when planning borrowing.

How Landlords Can Prepare for Valuations

• Provide ASTs and rental statements to support declared income.
• Ensure the property is presentable and compliant with safety regulations.
• Research local comparables to anticipate valuer assumptions.
• Have contingency plans if values or rents come in lower than expected.
• Use brokers who can challenge valuations when appropriate.

Final Thoughts

Mortgage valuations are more than just a box-ticking exercise – they directly shape borrowing capacity. By understanding how lenders and valuers approach market value and rental income, landlords can prepare better, avoid disappointment, and build more resilient refinancing strategies in 2026.

Speak to Our Sponsor

Our sponsor helps landlords prepare for valuations, challenge incorrect assumptions and structure applications around realistic lender expectations.

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Publication date: Monday, 26 January 2026

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Rent increase challenge rules spark court backlog fears

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Rent increase challenge rules spark court backlog fears

Tenants challenging rent increases under new reforms could overwhelm courts, warns industry experts.

An article in The Times explains under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants will be able to challenge any proposed rent increase at the First-Tier Tribunal (FTT).

Under the reforms, the tribunal will no longer be able to set a rent higher than that proposed by the landlord, even if it finds the market rent is higher. It will also be able to delay rent increases by up to two months in cases of hardship.

Landlords in limbo

The Times reports that any rent increase upheld by the tribunal would take effect only from the date of its decision, rather than when the landlord first served notice. This means that even unsuccessful challenges could delay higher rent payments for months, leaving landlords in limbo.

Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and head of civil justice in England and Wales, warned the Housing Law Practitioners’ Association that the rules under the Renters’ Rights Act could create “an incentive for tenants to apply to the FTT in respect of every increase in order to delay its implementation”.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), told The Times: “With just 34 judges sitting on it, the tribunal is unlikely to cope with such an influx of cases once the act comes into force.

“It is one of many aspects of the act where warm words are not being matched by any evidence of the detailed work needed to ensure it works in practice.”

Court capacity could be overwhelmed

As previously reported on Property118, the NRLA has written to the Justice Select Committee, warning that court capacity could be overwhelmed by the Renters’ Rights Act.

The NRLA pointed out that landlords are having to wait weeks for court hearings to regain possession of their properties.

The NRLA said in the letter: “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.”

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Selling with tenants in place, or after vacant possession? A realistic route to a certain sale

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Selling with tenants in place, or after vacant possession? A realistic route to a certain sale

It goes without saying, and certainly judging by the amount of landlords we’re speaking to, that many of you are exiting or getting ready to exit the sector.

It’s a smart decision. With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into play this May 1^st, the end of Section 21 and the raft of tax penalties and new regulations, we’re over and out. It’s time to cash in and invest elsewhere.

But with the decision to sell comes the “how.” How do I sell without overpricing? How do I avoid long delays, price reductions or deals falling apart? And, importantly: how do I work with someone who genuinely understands landlord property and can get the job done fast?

At Landlord Sales Agency we specialise in selling tenanted, recently vacated and soon-to-be vacant properties in a way that’s realistic, well-managed and designed to complete.

We’re not a traditional estate agent, and we’re not a fast-sale company either. Our focus is simply on certainty of sale at a fair, achievable price.

Many of the landlords, like you, who come to us worry that selling can mean being forced into expensive refurbs, paying for certificates or compliance without clarity or throwing money at a property without knowing whether it’ll actually pay off.

But the reality is, most sales don’t need full refurbs. What they actually need is practical, targeted improvements that guarantee a great sale.

That’s where Landlord Sales Agency comes in. We have teams throughout the country who can get to you – in some cases within a day – for tidy-ups, basic works, furniture clearance, access issues and ensuring the right certificates are in place. We only do what’s absolutely essential for your properties to sell, and our process is fast, gets the most achievable prices and allows you as a landlord to sit back and relax knowing it’s all in hand.

So how do we achieve the best results once we’ve got your properties ready? Easy.

• We have an extensive database of over 30,000 active, chain free buyers looking to purchase anything from a single property to a full portfolio, allowing us to quickly match you with the perfect buyer.
• Buyers commit with non-refundable deposits, reducing fall-throughs
• We use realistic guide pricing to create momentum and competition, driving a bidding war on your properties
• And we work in combination with trusted local agents to ensure that your property is marketed via every possible avenue.

What’s more, our team of landlord experts is the best in the country at managing tenants, access and compliance.

We’re also completely transparent. We don’t promise the highest price at any cost. We don’t sign you up for unrealistic values that leave your properties sitting on the market for months, even years. We focus on the best achievable price that actually completes. And it works. On average all our properties sell in less than 28 days.

This month we’re focusing on properties in the North West and North Wales, where buyer demand is strongest. Last week we had landlords approach us from Liverpool, Nottingham, Manchester and Leeds and we got to work delivering.

Fast, realistic, structured sales managed by experts that complete with zero fuss.

So if you’re a landlord looking to get the job done, we’re ready to do it.

There’s no obligation to sell, and absolutely everything to gain.

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Rents skyrocket in North of England as UK average stabilises

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Property118

Rents skyrocket in North of England as UK average stabilises

Despite rents stabilising across the UK, some areas are seeing prices skyrocket, prompting calls for increased housing supply to tackle rising rents.

A report by SpareRoom reveals the steepest average rent increases were recorded in towns and cities across northern England, the Midlands and Scotland.

The report reveals that the UK average rent continued to stabilise, rising just 0.5% year on year, while London saw a slight fall of 0.9% and is now £985 per month.

However, the flat-share website warns only significant decreases will make a real difference for households spending 40–50% of their income on rent.

Too many renters are at breaking point

Matt Hutchinson, director at flatshare site SpareRoom, said: “Those navigating the market today will tell you affordable accommodation is scarce and only meaningful decreases would make life easier, so the fact rents are stabilising is far from a silver lining.

“In terms of affordability, too many renters are at breaking point, spending half their income on rent.

“The high cost of living is pushing people into traditionally more affordable areas and away from major cities, which of course means these areas won’t be affordable for much longer.

“A laser-focus on boosting supply to the rental market is our best way out of the housing crisis.”

North of England sees rent rises

According to a report by SpareRoom, almost half of the most popular towns and cities among flatsharers that saw rents increase by more than 5% year-on-year in Q4 are located in the North of England.

West Yorkshire town Keighley, long known for its affordability, is seeing room rents rise 14% year on year, pushing average prices to £600 per month.

In Merseyside, Bootle, historically the cheapest place to rent in the UK, has been overtaken by Lancashire town Burnley, which recorded the highest year-on-year rise nationwide.

Renting a room in Bootle now costs £527 per month on average, up 18% from Q4 2024.

In the Midlands, Stourbridge (+17.7%) and Wolverhampton (+9.6%) are leading the charge on rent increases. Stourbridge’s average room rent now stands at £649 per month, £31 higher than Birmingham, where rents fell 2% year on year to £618. Wolverhampton remains more affordable at £65 below Birmingham’s average.

SpareRoom says all of these towns, however, still offer considerably cheaper rents than Edinburgh (£778) and Glasgow (£690).

Despite Scotland’s average rent dropping slightly in Q4 (-0.2%), some cities are bucking the trend. Perth (+7.4%), Paisley (+5.7%), Livingston (+6.7%) and Kirkcaldy (+6.1%) have all seen notable increases.

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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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