The UK’s upcoming changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are set to have a huge impact on the rental market. By 2030, all rental properties will need to achieve at least a C rating on their EPCs, up from the current minimum of E.
This change in EPC regulations means that landlords will need to make energy-efficient upgrades on their properties to avoid penalties. Letting agents are in a unique position to guide landlords through these changes, helping them stay compliant and ensuring their properties remain attractive to tenants.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an official document that evaluates how energy-efficient a property is. The certificate uses a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) based on the property's energy usage, heating, lighting, and water systems. EPCs also provide recommendations for improvements, such as installing better insulation or upgrading to energy-efficient boilers.
Key EPC Facts To Know:
EPCs are mandatory when selling, renting, or building a property.
EPCs last for 10 years unless updated.
Landlords must legally provide an EPC when marketing a property or signing a tenancy agreement.
What’s Changing and Why?
The UK government is raising energy efficiency standards to reduce carbon emissions and meet net-zero targets by 2025. By 2030, all rental properties must achieve at least a C rating on their EPCs, compared to the current minimum of E.
Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £30,000, making it important for landlords to act now.
3 Simple Steps Letting Agents Can Take to Help Landlords
1. Raise Awareness and Provide Energy-Efficiency Guidance
Many landlords may not understand the upcoming changes or the financial implications they could face. Letting agents can bridge this gap by:
Educating landlords: Share guides, host webinars, or send newsletters explaining the 2030 deadline, penalties for non-compliance, and the benefits of energy-efficient properties, such as commanding higher rents and lower tenant energy bills.
Offering tailored advice: Recommend energy audits to identify cost-effective improvements and suggest practical upgrades, such as better insulation or energy-efficient boilers.
For more information on other upcoming regulatory changes and how they might impact landlords, check out our expert guide here.
2. Connect Landlords with Funding
Upgrading properties to meet new EPC standards can be expensive, especially for older properties. Here are some financial schemes that can help:
The UK government is adding £30 million to the scheme until March 2025 and increasing the funding to £295 million for 2025/26.
Great British Insulation Scheme: Previously the ECO+, this £1 billion initiative targets households with EPC ratings of D to G in Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales. The scheme aims to help around 300,000 households with insulation upgrades.
Letting agents should explain these funding options to landlords, offering guidance with the application process and helping them prioritise the most cost-effective upgrades. With clear cost breakdowns and realistic timelines, landlords can invest in energy-efficient improvements without feeling overwhelmed by expenses.
3. Monitor EPC Compliance and Plan for the Future
Letting agents can help landlords stay ahead of both current and future EPC requirements by:
Tracking compliance: Set up reminders to renew EPCs before they expire. Automated systems like Veco Plus can send reminders before an EPC expires, making sure landlords don’t miss deadlines and avoid penalties.
Future-proofing properties: Stay informed about changes in energy regulations and encourage landlords to invest in forward-thinking upgrades such as solar panels or smart heating systems. Proactively upgrading properties can help landlords comply with future regulations, save money, and increase the long-term value of their property.
How Veco Plus Can Support Letting Agents
The upcoming EPC changes can feel overwhelming for letting agents, so using an automated CRM system like Veco Plus can make all the difference.
Veco Plus is a cloud-based property CRM designed to simplify the process of managing EPC renewals, tracking compliance deadlines, and streamlining communication with landlords. Automated tools such as reminders for EPC renewals ensure that agents never miss a deadline, while its workflow feature makes tracking maintenance and upgrades easier.
Ready to supercharge your agency? Contact our team today at contact@veco.software to learn more about how Veco Plus can help scale your agency.
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