Tag: Energy Performance Certificate

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Will Landlords Need an EPC C Rating by 2030? What Bromley Landlords Need to Know in 2026

Bromley landlord reviewing EPC C rating requirements for rental properties before 2030

If you own a rental property in Bromley, you’ve probably heard rumours that landlords will soon need to achieve a minimum EPC rating of C.

While the exact details are still being developed by the Government, there is a clear direction of travel towards improving the energy efficiency of rented homes across England.

As a landlord, understanding the likely future requirements now could save you significant time, stress and expense later.

In this guide, we’ll explain the current EPC requirements for landlords, what changes may be coming by 2030, and what Bromley landlords can do today to prepare.

What Is the Current Minimum EPC Requirement for Landlords?

At present, privately rented properties in England and Wales must generally achieve a minimum EPC rating of E before they can be legally let to tenants.

This requirement falls under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations.

If a property has an EPC rating of F or G, landlords are normally prohibited from granting a new tenancy or continuing to let the property unless a valid exemption has been registered.

Failure to comply can result in substantial financial penalties.

Are EPC C Requirements Coming for Landlords?

The Government has repeatedly indicated its intention to improve energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector.

Although legislation requiring all rental properties to achieve EPC C by 2030 has not yet been finalised, it remains a widely discussed policy objective.

The aim is to:

  • Reduce household energy bills
  • Improve tenant comfort
  • Cut carbon emissions
  • Improve the overall quality of rental housing

While the final regulations and implementation dates are yet to be confirmed, many property professionals expect stricter EPC requirements during the coming years.

For landlords, waiting until regulations become law could lead to increased costs and difficulty securing contractors when demand rises.

Why Bromley Landlords Should Prepare Now

Bromley contains a diverse mix of property types, including:

  • Victorian and Edwardian terraces
  • 1930s semi-detached homes
  • Ex-local authority properties
  • Modern apartments
  • Converted flats

Many older properties in the borough currently achieve EPC ratings of D or E and may require improvements to reach a C rating.

By acting early, landlords can:

  • Spread improvement costs over several years
  • Avoid future contractor shortages
  • Improve tenant satisfaction
  • Reduce void periods
  • Potentially increase property value
  • Future-proof their investment

What Improvements Typically Increase EPC Ratings?

Every property is different, but common recommendations found on EPC reports include:

Loft Insulation

One of the most cost-effective upgrades available.

Many properties can significantly reduce heat loss through the roof by increasing loft insulation to modern standards.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Where suitable, cavity wall insulation can provide noticeable improvements to a property’s energy efficiency.

Upgrading Older Boilers

Replacing an ageing boiler with a modern condensing model can improve both EPC ratings and tenant comfort.

Heating Controls

Installing:

  • Smart thermostats
  • Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
  • Programmable heating controls

can help improve efficiency and reduce energy waste.

Low Energy Lighting

Switching all fixed lighting to LED bulbs is often one of the easiest EPC improvements.

Double or Triple Glazing

Although often a larger investment, improved glazing can contribute towards higher EPC ratings in suitable properties.

How Can You Find Out Whether Your Property Could Reach EPC C?

The first step is to obtain a current EPC if you do not already have one.

An EPC remains valid for 10 years, but many landlords choose to commission a new assessment if:

  • Their certificate is approaching expiry
  • Improvements have been completed
  • They want up-to-date recommendations
  • They are considering future compliance requirements

Your EPC includes a list of recommended improvements together with estimated costs and potential energy savings.

These recommendations can provide a useful roadmap towards achieving a higher rating.

What If My Bromley Rental Property Is Currently Rated D or E?

There’s no need to panic.

Many rental properties in Bromley currently sit within the D band and may only require modest improvements to move closer to a C rating.

The key is understanding:

  • Your current EPC score
  • Which improvements offer the greatest benefit
  • The likely cost of upgrades
  • The potential impact on your rating

A professional EPC assessment can help identify the most cost-effective route forward.

How EPC Bromley Can Help

At EPC Bromley, we provide fast, professional EPC assessments throughout the London Borough of Bromley.

Whether you’re:

we can provide the information you need to understand your property’s energy performance and prepare for future regulations.

We offer:

✔ Fast appointment availability

✔ Competitive pricing

✔ Prompt certificate lodgement

✔ Local knowledge of Bromley properties

✔ Friendly professional service

Book Your Bromley EPC Today

If you’re a landlord in Bromley and want to understand how future EPC requirements could affect your property, now is the ideal time to obtain an up-to-date EPC assessment.

Contact EPC Bromley today to arrange your appointment and receive expert advice on your property’s energy performance.

Andrew Dedman

EPC Bromley

📞 07709 304251

✉️ assessor@epcbromley.co.uk

🌐 www.epcbromley.co.uk

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EPCs for Landlords in Bromley: What You Need to Know in 2026 and Beyond

EPC chart showing A to G energy ratings for a rental property in Bromley with landlord guidance on MEES rules and energy efficiency improvements

If you’re a landlord in the London Borough of Bromley, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are no longer just a tick-box exercise—they’re a critical part of staying compliant, protecting your rental income, and future-proofing your property investment.

With tightening regulations, local housing challenges, and upcoming changes to EPC rules, understanding how EPCs affect your Bromley rental property has never been more important.

What Is an EPC and Why It Matters

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of your property, giving it a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). 

For landlords, EPCs are essential because they:

In a competitive rental market like Bromley, a better EPC rating can also help attract tenants and reduce void periods.

Current EPC Legal Requirements for Landlords

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES):

  • Rental properties must have an EPC rating of E or above
  • It is illegal to let a property rated F or G unless exempt
  • These rules apply to both new and existing tenancies

Failure to comply can result in enforcement action by the local authority and fines of up to £5,000. 

What This Means in Bromley

Bromley Council enforces these standards locally, meaning:

  • Landlords may be investigated if properties fall below minimum standards
  • EPC compliance can be linked to licensing requirements and housing enforcement

Bromley-Specific Challenges for Landlords

While EPC rules are national, Bromley landlords face some unique local issues:

1. Older Housing Stock

Many properties in Bromley—particularly in areas like Beckenham, Penge, and Orpington—are:

  • Victorian or Edwardian builds
  • Solid wall construction
  • Poorly insulated by modern standards

These properties are often harder (and more expensive) to upgrade to higher EPC ratings.

2. Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings

Bromley has numerous conservation areas and listed properties.

  • Some energy improvements (like external insulation or window replacement) may be restricted
  • This can limit your ability to improve EPC ratings
  • In certain cases, exemptions may apply, but they must be formally registered

3. Cost vs Property Value

Although landlords are currently only required to spend up to £3,500 to reach EPC E under MEES rules , future changes could increase this significantly.

With rising property values in Bromley, landlords may face:

  • Higher upgrade costs for larger homes
  • Pressure to invest more to remain competitive

4. Tenant Expectations in Commuter Areas

Bromley is a popular commuter borough for London workers, meaning tenants are increasingly:

  • Cost-conscious due to energy prices
  • Looking for energy-efficient homes to reduce bills

Higher EPC-rated properties can therefore:

  • Let faster
  • Command stronger rental yields

Upcoming EPC Changes: What Bromley Landlords Should Prepare For

The direction of travel is clear—standards are tightening.

Likely Future Requirements

  • Minimum EPC rating expected to rise to C by 2030
  • New EPC calculation system being introduced from 2026 onwards
  • Greater focus on:
    • Insulation (“fabric performance”)
    • Heating systems (e.g. heat pumps)
    • Smart energy readiness 

Why This Matters Locally

In Bromley, many properties currently sit at D or E ratings, meaning:

  • Significant upgrades may be required
  • Demand for trades (insulation, glazing, heating upgrades) will rise
  • Early action could save money and avoid last-minute pressure

How to Improve Your EPC Rating

For Bromley landlords, improvements should be practical and cost-effective.

Quick Wins

  • Install LED lighting
  • Add draught-proofing
  • Upgrade heating controls

Mid-Level Improvements

  • Loft insulation (especially in older homes)
  • Cavity wall insulation (where applicable)
  • Double glazing upgrades

Major Upgrades

  • New boiler or heat pump
  • Solar panels
  • Solid wall insulation (more common in Bromley’s older homes)

Your EPC report will include tailored recommendations based on your property.

Why Acting Now Makes Sense

Waiting until regulations tighten could leave you:

  • Unable to legally let your property
  • Facing rushed and expensive upgrades
  • Competing with more energy-efficient properties

By improving your EPC rating now, you can:

  • Increase rental appeal
  • Reduce tenant turnover
  • Future-proof your investment

Final Thoughts

For landlords in the London Borough of Bromley, EPC compliance is no longer optional—it’s a core part of managing a successful rental property.

Between ageing housing stock, conservation restrictions, and tightening national regulations, Bromley presents both challenges and opportunities.

The landlords who act early—by understanding EPCs and improving their properties—will be best placed to thrive in the years ahead.

Need an EPC in Bromley?

If you’re a landlord in Bromley and need a fast, reliable EPC assessment, working with a local provider ensures:

Quick turnaround to keep your property compliant

Knowledge of Bromley housing stock

Advice tailored to your property

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The UK Home Energy Model: What It Means for Future Domestic EPCs

Modern energy-efficient home with solar panels and heat pump next to EPC energy rating chart A–G

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are an essential part of the UK property market. Whether you’re selling, renting, or improving a home, an EPC provides an official assessment of a property’s energy efficiency.

However, the UK government is currently developing a new system called the Home Energy Model (HEM) which is expected to significantly change how domestic EPCs are calculated in the future.

While EPCs themselves are unlikely to disappear, the methodology behind them is set to evolve. The introduction of the Home Energy Model could lead to more detailed assessments, new performance metrics, and potentially different property ratings.

In this article, we explore what the Home Energy Model is and how it may impact EPC assessments in the coming years.


What Is the Home Energy Model?

The Home Energy Model (HEM) is a new government-developed system designed to assess the energy performance of homes in England and Wales.

It is intended to replace the current Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP) methodologies that are currently used to generate Energy Performance Certificates.

SAP has been the official method for calculating residential energy efficiency in the UK since the 1990s. However, as housing technology has evolved — particularly with the growth of renewable energy systems and heat pumps — the government believes a more advanced model is needed.

The Home Energy Model will provide a more detailed simulation of how homes use energy, allowing for a more accurate representation of building performance.

Ultimately, the HEM will become the calculation engine behind future EPCs and other building energy assessments.


Why the Government Is Reforming EPC Calculations

The current EPC system has been widely used for many years, but it has several limitations.

One of the most common criticisms is that EPC ratings are largely based on estimated energy costs rather than pure energy efficiency or carbon emissions.

This can sometimes create unexpected results. For example:

  • Homes using electric heating or heat pumps may receive lower EPC scores because electricity costs more than gas.
  • Properties with high levels of insulation but electric heating can sometimes score lower than less efficient gas-heated homes.

As the UK moves towards low-carbon heating and net-zero emissions, policymakers want EPCs to better reflect the true energy performance of buildings.

The Home Energy Model is intended to support this transition.


Key Changes the Home Energy Model Could Introduce


More Advanced Energy Modelling

One of the biggest technical changes is the way the new model calculates energy use.

The current SAP system uses monthly averages to estimate how a building performs. The Home Energy Model will simulate energy use at 30-minute intervals throughout the year.

This allows the model to better account for factors such as:

  • Solar gains from sunlight
  • Daily heating patterns
  • Smart energy tariffs
  • Heat pump performance
  • Thermal storage in buildings

This higher level of detail should provide more realistic predictions of how a home performs in real life.

More Detailed Property Data

The Home Energy Model will also use a much larger database of building products and technologies.

This includes improvements to the government’s Product Characteristics Database (PCDB), which stores performance data for heating systems, insulation products and other building components.

By expanding this database, EPC calculations should better reflect the actual performance of modern building technologies rather than relying on simplified assumptions.


New EPC Metrics Instead of a Single Rating

Currently, EPCs present a single A–G rating based primarily on estimated energy costs.

Under proposed EPC reforms, future certificates could include multiple performance metrics rather than one overall score.

These may include:

  • Energy Cost Rating – estimated energy bills
  • Fabric Performance – how well the building retains heat
  • Heating System Performance – efficiency and carbon impact of heating systems
  • Smart Readiness – ability to work with smart grids and flexible tariffs

Providing several metrics could help homeowners better understand where improvements should be made and which upgrades will have the biggest impact.


How This Could Affect EPC Ratings

Because the calculation method will change, some homes may see different EPC ratings once the Home Energy Model is introduced.

For example:

  • Homes with good insulation and fabric efficiency may perform better.
  • Heat pumps and low-carbon heating systems may be assessed more fairly.
  • Some homes may receive different improvement recommendations.

However, it is important to note that EPCs will still remain a legal requirement when selling or renting a property.


What This Means for Domestic Energy Assessors?

For Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs), the Home Energy Model represents the biggest methodological change to EPCs in many years.

The transition will likely involve:

  • New assessment software
  • Updated training requirements
  • Changes to how EPC reports are presented
  • New data collection standards

However, early indications suggest that on-site surveys for existing properties will remain broadly similar, as the government still intends to use a reduced-data approach for existing dwellings.


When Will the Home Energy Model Be Introduced?

The Home Energy Model is still under development and subject to consultation. Current government plans suggest the new methodology could begin to appear in EPC reforms from around 2026 onwards.

Before implementation, there will likely be a period of:

  • Industry consultation
  • Software development
  • Training for assessors
  • Gradual introduction of the new EPC format

This will allow the property sector time to adapt to the new system.


The Future of EPCs in the UK

While the methodology behind EPCs may change, Energy Performance Certificates will remain an important part of the UK housing market.

In fact, the introduction of the Home Energy Model could make EPCs:

  • More accurate
  • More useful for retrofit planning
  • Better aligned with the UK’s net-zero goals

For homeowners and landlords, this should provide clearer guidance on improving the energy efficiency of their properties.


Need an EPC for Your Property?

If you’re selling or renting a property, a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement.

EPC Bromley provides fast and reliable EPC assessments for homes, helping you meet legal requirements and understand your property’s energy efficiency.

👉 Contact us today to book your EPC assessment.

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Who Needs an EPC?

Who needs an EPC?

Whether you’re selling, renting, or improving a property, chances are you’ve heard the term EPC thrown around. But what exactly is an EPC, and more importantly, who actually needs one? Let’s clear things up.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that shows how energy-efficient a property is. It gives your home a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), along with recommendations to improve energy use. Think of it as a kind of energy MOT for buildings.

EPCs are valid for 10 years and are required by law in many property transactions. But there are a few exceptions, which we’ll get to shortly.

So, who does need an EPC?

. Homeowners selling their property

If you’re putting your home on the market, you’ll need a valid EPC before you can legally sell it. In fact, you’re expected to have commissioned one before the property is listed.

  1. Landlords renting out a property

Planning to let your flat or house? An EPC is a must. Tenants should be given a copy of the EPC before signing the tenancy agreement.

There’s more: As of April 2020, all rental properties in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of E or above (unless exempt). This is part of the government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

  1. New builds

Any newly constructed property requires an EPC. The developer is responsible for providing this.

  1. Property conversions

If you’ve converted a building into separate units or changed its use (for example, from commercial to residential), you’ll usually need an EPC for the new configuration.

Who doesn’t need an EPC?

Not every building requires one. Here are a few common exemptions:
• Places of worship
• Temporary buildings (used for less than 2 years)
• Listed buildings (where improvements would unacceptably alter character – though this can be a grey area)
• Stand-alone buildings under 50 square metres (like a small detached garage or workshop)
• Buildings due to be demolished

Why does it matter?

Aside from being a legal requirement, an EPC can help you:
• Understand your home’s energy efficiency
• Spot areas for improvement (and potential savings)
• Increase the property’s market appeal

Plus, with growing interest in green homes and sustainability, a good EPC rating can make a real difference when it comes to selling or renting.

Final thoughts

If you’re unsure whether your property needs an EPC, it’s always worth double-checking. The rules are fairly straightforward, but getting it wrong could delay a sale or rental – or land you with a fine.

Need help getting an EPC? Look for a registered Domestic Energy Assessor on the GOV.UK website.

Have questions about EPCs, MEES, or anything property-related? Leave a comment below – we’re happy to help.

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What is an EPC Certificate and Do I Need One?

What is an EPC Certificate and Do I Need One?

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

When you purchase a new appliance it always has a coloured sticker on it telling you how energy efficient the appliance is. This is the case for buildings. Each has an EPC rating from A, the most efficient, to G, the least efficient. The rating lets you know how costly it is to both warm up and cool down your home.

An EPC shows information on a property’s energy use and typical energy costs plus makes recommendations on how to reduce energy usage and increase efficiency. If you’re a landlord or selling a property, you must get this certificate ordered before you put the property on the market. If it’s still valid, you may be able to use the EPC given to you when you bought the property.

You can view EPCs for any property that has one at the national EPC register.

Do I need an EPC?

Since 2008 it has been a legal requirement to have an EPC whether you are selling a property or letting out. If you own a commercial property that you want to sell or lease, you’ll also need to get an EPC organised.

There are some exemptions to the requirement of an EPC. They include:

  • A rented room within a house (a self-contained flat within a larger house that has its own front door and facilities will need one)
  • Some types of listed buildings
  • A property that cannot be modified to make it more energy efficient

See if your property has an EPC on the Government website.

How much does an EPC cost?

You should never be charged for an EPC whether you are looking to buy or rent. It should be presented to you for free by the seller or landlord (or their agent).

You can have an EPC commissioned for your personal use, to help mitigate energy use, but you will have to pay for it. EPC Bromley supplies EPCs from £50.

What information is displayed on an EPC?

An EPC will look like the multi-coloured sticker that you see on new household appliances. It will include:

  • An energy efficiency rating
  • The estimated costs of running your home
  • A summary of energy performance related features
  • The energy efficiency rating on an EPC will be dedicated to how energy efficient your property is. As we mentioned before this is graded from A to G.

An older property with no retrofitted energy-saving technology will typically be around a D grade. Landlords are required to achieve a minimum of an E grade and can face a penalty of up to £4,000 for failure to meet this minimum efficiency requirement.

The summary of energy performance related features will help you to see how energy efficient different aspects of your home are. Use it as a guide to work out which areas to focus on first when improving your home’s energy efficiency.

Who can carry out an EPC?

An accredited domestic energy assessor can issue you with an EPC. An estate or letting agent can find one for you, but you can also do this yourself by visiting the EPC Register to search for one in your area.

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The Benefits of Double Glazing

As homeowners, we constantly seek ways to improve our living spaces, making them more comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. One significant upgrade that offers these benefits is double glazing. In this post, we’ll explore what double glazing is, how it works, and why it’s an excellent investment for your home.

What is Double Glazing?

Double glazing involves the use of two panes of glass separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space to reduce heat transfer across a part of the building envelope. This design is a step up from traditional single-glazed windows, which consist of a single pane of glass.

How Does It Work?

The key to double glazing’s effectiveness lies in the space between the two panes of glass. This space acts as an insulating barrier. It can be filled with air or inert gases like argon or krypton, which are better insulators than air. The two glass panes also typically include a layer of coating that reflects heat back into the room, enhancing the insulation.

Benefits:

  1. Energy Efficiency: One of the primary benefits is improved energy efficiency. By reducing the amount of heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer, these windows can significantly lower energy bills.
    1. Noise Reduction: Double glazing offers excellent sound insulation. The two layers of glass and the vacuum or gas-filled space between them act as a barrier to noise, making it ideal for homes in busy areas.
    2. Reduced Condensation: Condensation can be a problem with single-glazed windows, leading to mould and mildew. Double glazing reduces condensation by maintaining a warmer interior glass surface.
    3. Increased Security: Double-glazed windows are tougher to break than single-glazed ones, offering an added layer of security to your home.
    4. Enhanced Property Value: Installing double-glazed windows can increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters.

Considerations When Choosing Double Glazing:

• Frame Materials: Frames for double-glazed windows come in various materials, including uPVC, aluminium, and wood. Each has its pros and cons in terms of durability, maintenance, and aesthetics.
• Glass Options: There are different types of glass, including low-emissivity (low-E) glass, which has a special coating to reflect heat.
• Cost vs. Return on Investment: While the initial cost can be significant, the long-term savings in energy bills and the added comfort and security make it a worthwhile investment.

Conclusion:

Double glazing is more than just a window upgrade; it’s an investment in comfort, efficiency, and security. By understanding the benefits and considerations when choosing double glazing, homeowners can make informed decisions that enhance their living spaces while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Tips for Improving Your EPC Rating

What does an EPC assessor do in your home?

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Energy Efficient Homes – Best & Worst Places in Britain

Energy Efficient

Everest, the company famed for double glazing, has recently compiled a survey of the best and worst areas in England and Wales in terms of energy efficient domestic properties.

They did this by analysing the Energy Performance Certificates of more than 15 million properties. Here are the results of that survey.

The Most Energy Efficient Places in England & Wales

Percentage shows how many properties are rated A or B overall.

  1. Tower Hamlets – London – 29.22%
  2. Greenwich – London – 19.92%
  3. City of London – London – 19.67%
  4. Dartford – Kent – 18.9%
  5. Hackney – London – 18.85%
  6. Uttlesford – Essex – 18.84%
  7. Basingstoke and Deane – Hampshire – 18.47%
  8. Cambridge – Cambridgeshire – 18.15%
  9. Milton Keynes – Buckinghamshire – 17.29%
  10. Southwark – London – 16.64%

The most striking thing to see from this list is the huge discrepancy between Tower Hamlets and the rest of the list. Most on the list have between 18% and 19% of their properties at an A or B level, whereas Tower Hamlets has nearly 30%.

This is due to huge investments being made by the local government here in order to ensure new build developments are as energy efficient as they could be.

The next thing to notice is that all of the top ten areas are in the south east, with half of them in the capital itself.

The Least Energy Efficient Places in England & Wales

Percentage shows how many properties are rated F or G overall.

  1. Isles of Scilly – Isles of Scilly – 35.34%
  2. Gwynedd – Gwynedd – 26.31%
  3. Ceredigion – Ceredigion – 24.33%
  4. Eden – Cumbria – 21.15%
  5. Isle of Anglesey – Isle of Anglesey – 20.70%
  6. West Somerset – Somerset – 20.54%
  7. West Devon – Devon – 19.33%
  8. Ryedale – North Yorkshire – 18.34%
  9. Cornwall – Cornwall – 18.30%
  10. Powys – Powys – 18.23%

As you’ll see, most of the places on this list are more remote and more exposed locations. Exposed locations won’t automatically make a difference to the EPC results, but exposed locations located on the west side of the country do have an issue.

The top three locations, Isles of Scilly, Gwynedd and Ceredigion fit into this category.

The reason being is that the western edge of Great Britain is exposed to wind and driving rain. This makes them unsuitable for cavity wall insulation, making wall insulation itself either impractical or too expensive.

Conclusions

This data shows just how effective an EPC or an Energy Report can be when it is being used to compare the energy efficiencies of properties around the country.

In this case the properties which are rated F or G will be paying, on average, three and a half times the amount to heat their homes that properties at an A or B level will be.

If you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your property, click here for some quick wins.

Is it worth improving your hot water cylinder insulation?

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MEES 2019

The first stage of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) was introduced in April 2018. A year later, MEES 2019 has updated the previous conditions and landlords and letting agents need to be aware of the changes.

Main changes in MEES 2019

The main change for MEES 2019 means that from the 1 April this year, landlords have had to fund the installation of energy efficient measures in their properties themselves, in order to achieve minimum energy efficiency standards.

There is a spending cap, however of £3,500, including VAT, for overall improvement costs.

This means that the ‘no cost to landlord’ exemption set out in the Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 no longer applies. Landlords are unable to use this exemption to prevent them making improvements to their property out of their own finances.

Third part funding may still be available in the form of Green Deal, Grants and ECO.  However if those things are not available, from 1 April 2019, landlords have had to fund the improvements themselves.

If any landlords registered their exemptions before the 1 April cut off then they will still see changes. MEES 2019 means that their exemption period is no longer set at five years. Instead all improvements need to be made by April 2020 at the latest.

Landlords not meeting these minimum standards could face a penalty of up to £5,000.

This change should now future proof these regulations. Landlords are required to fund property improvements themselves when funding is not available.  However  their liability is clearly capped.

What next?

The next update to MEES will come on 1 April 2020, The regulations will then state that MEES applies to ALL residential property that is privately rented.

This means that if a property requires a domestic EPC, it must reach a minimum ‘E’ standard before it can be rented out. This applies to all leases whether new or existing.

The EPC Certificate, how does it affect you?

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The EPC Certificate – How Does it Affect You?

When it comes to purchasing or renting a property, it is the person selling the house or the landlord who has the responsibility of obtaining an EPC. However, it’s still important for everybody involved to understand what the certificate is telling them.

Sellers

It is illegal to sell a home without an EPC in place. In order to obtain an EPC you should speak to your estate agent, or for better value for money, obtain one directly from an EPC provider.

Buyers

Ensure that you receive an EPC when you buy the house. Your solicitor should be checking this. Have a look at the recommendations it has and use it to inform you what improvements the property needs. You may even use it to negotiate on price.

Landlords

If you have a property you wish to let out you must ensure that you have a valid EPC in place. Not only that, if you are asking a tenant to sign a new lease you must ensure that the property has achieved a minimum rating of ‘E’. From April 2020, this rule extends to cover all existing leases too.

Tenants

Insist on seeing the property’s EPC before you move in. This not only ensures that it has met the legal requirements, it also gives you a good idea of how much the property will cost to run. This makes it easier to plan your monthly budgets going forward.

Understanding the EPC

The basic premise of an EPC is to show how energy efficient a property is. The main focus is on the Energy Efficiency rating, on page one of the document.

Here you will see two scores, one is the current rating, the other is the potential rating. The EPC will in subsequent pages show you how to get from one to the other.

‘A’ rated is the highest, ‘G’ rated is the lowest. Newer homes tend to have better ratings with older homes tending to have ratings of ‘D’ and ‘E’. The national average for a domestic property in the UK is ‘D’.

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Tips for Improving your EPC Rating

Improving your EPC

There are many reasons to try and get the highest possible score on your EPC. The first is to try and ensure that your house is as energy efficient as possible. An energy efficient house costs less to run, saving you a potential fortune on your heating bills.

The other reasons are in terms of actually needing to achieve certain ratings. If you’re a landlord then your property MUST achieve an ‘E’ rating before you can rent it out. If you are looking for a Feed in Tariff (FiT) when you install a renewable energy product, then your property must already be ‘D’ rated.

Here are five top tips for improving your EPC score.

  1. Insulation – The most important consideration can also be the cheapest too. Twenty five percent of a property’s heat is lost through its roof, luckily loft insulation is not only cheap, it is also one of the easiest things to install. Ensure you install it to a depth of 270mm (do not crush under boarding) in order to get the most benefit.Wall insulation is also crucial. Cavity wall insulation needs to be done by a professional company but it can be a relatively cheap process. Depending on government funding available to energy companies it can also be free.

    Solid wall insulation can be very expensive but can also be the number one saver for energy bills in older houses.

  2. Install renewable energy – If your home is suitable you should look into installing renewable energy. In almost all cases they will provide a large boost to your EPC score.Most people will think of solar panels when they imagine domestic renewables and Solar PV panels to supply electricity have been very popular. But you can also consider solar thermal panels for your hot water or biomass boilers or heat pumps to heat your home.

    When improving your EPC, if you want your property to achieve maximum score then you MUST have some renewable energy in place.

  3. Replace an old boiler – Heating makes up a large percentage of a household’s energy costs. If you have an old, inefficient boiler it will be reflected in your EPC score and, more importantly, it will be costing you more money than it should to heat your home.Look into getting an ‘A’ rated boiler and ensure that you have full control over the heating in your home. Also consider the installation of a room thermostat, a programmer and TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves.)
  4. Get double glazing – If you have old, thin, single glazed windows with wooden frames then you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that a significant portion of the heat from your home is being lost through them.Get double or triple glazing installed. If it’s too expensive or it’s not possible, secondary glazing can be just as effective.
  5. Replace your lightbulbs with LEDs – You can’t buy halogen bulbs anymore and there’s a good reason. Not only are they not energy efficient but they often only last a couple of years.Although replacing the bulbs will only have a small impact in improving your EPC and despite the fact that at first glance they seem expensive, when you learn that LED bulbs can last more than 20 years you realise that you’re actually going to save money.

If you enjoyed this article you might also like Biggest EPC Wins.

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