Around 2 million landlords could face fines of up to £30,000 if they fail to bring their properties up to EPC C standard before the 2030 deadline, yet research suggests most are still largely unaware of what is required or what it will cost.
Data from a survey of 1,000 landlords by The Mortgage Works found that 62% do not know that holding a valid EPC rating is a legal requirement. Only one in three correctly identified the 2030 EPC C deadline, and 63% have no idea how much upgrading their property would cost. The scale of the problem is reflected in the wider housing stock: 33.8% of privately rented homes in England currently fall below the mandatory standard.
Glevum Windows is warning landlords that windows are among the most significant and most overlooked factors in a property's EPC rating. They account for up to 25% of heat loss in a typical home, and the consequences of poor glazing extend beyond energy efficiency. Damp affects 10% of privately rented properties, more than double the rate in owner-occupied homes, a disparity frequently linked to failed glazing, condensation and poor thermal performance.
The regulatory pressure has intensified further since the Renters' Rights Act came into force. The Act extends Awaab's Law to private landlords, requiring damp, mould and excess cold to be investigated and remedied within strict timeframes. These are conditions directly associated with inadequate windows. Landlords who fail to act face court action, civil penalties and mandatory remediation orders.
"The 2030 deadline feels distant, but the installation pipeline won't wait, and landlords are only just waking up to the fact that windows are often the first thing an EPC assessor looks at," said Mike Donaldson, managing director at Glevum Windows.
"Most landlords still don't know what's required or what it will cost, and by the time they do, lead times will have stretched significantly. Those who act now get better availability, better pricing, and the certainty that they're compliant well ahead of the rush.
"A full upgrade can meaningfully improve an EPC rating, eliminate the condensation that leads to damp and mould, and reduce a tenant's bills. For landlords, that's one conversation that solves three problems at once."
For buy-to-let investors already navigating higher mortgage costs, tax changes and the demands of the Renters' Rights Act, EPC compliance represents yet another pressure point. Those who delay risk not only financial penalties but also longer lead times as demand for installation work grows closer to the deadline. Acting early, the argument goes, is both cheaper and simpler than scrambling to comply under pressure.
5 things landlords should check on their rental windows:
- Check your EPC rating now - if your property is rated D or below, windows are likely a contributing factor. Get a new assessment before committing to any upgrades.
- Look for failed sealed units - misting or condensation between panes means the unit has failed and is actively reducing thermal performance.
- Audit your frames - cracked, draughty or single-glazed frames are a direct Awaab's Law risk if they're contributing to damp or cold.
- Don't wait for the 2030 rush - installation lead times will lengthen significantly as the deadline approaches; early movers get better availability and pricing.
- Check your glazing specification - not all double glazing is equal. A-rated windows make a significantly greater impact on EPC scores than standard double glazing.
