EPC changes scrapped
The Government has week scrapped plans aimed at forcing landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties. On Wednesday (20th September), the Prime Mininster, Rishi Sunak, declared the Government would ease several green policies, including minimum EPC standards for rental properties.
For several years landlords have been aware of proposed plans to upgrade rental properties from a minimum EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of E to C by 2028. EPC is a rating scheme that bands properties between A and G, with an A rating being the most energy efficient and G the least efficient.
Every domestic rental property in England and Wales needs to have an EPC of at least E to be let, unless they are exempt.
Revised Government Plans
- Scrapping policies requiring landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties, whilst encouraging landlords to do so where they are able to.
- Increase the Boiler Upgrade Grant by 50% to £7,500 to help households who want to replace their gas boilers with a low-carbon alternative such as heat pumps.
- Delay the 2026 ban on installing oil, LPG boilers, and new coal heating for off-gas-grid homes until 2035.
- Set an exemption for the phase-out of fossil fuel boilers, including gas, until 2035 for households that will most struggle to switch to heat pumps or other low-carbon alternatives.
