LandlordBuyer is urging landlords in England and Wales to plan for forthcoming energy efficiency requirements, as the 2030 EPC deadline raises fresh questions over whether to upgrade lower-rated rental properties or sell them.
The UK government has confirmed plans to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes, with all tenancies required to comply by 1 October 2030. Properties will need to reach the equivalent of an EPC C rating against new EPC metrics, unless an exemption applies.
Government guidance states the policy aims to improve the energy efficiency of rental homes, cut energy bills and help more households move out of fuel poverty.
Landlords could be required to invest up to £10,000 per property in qualifying improvements. Those who have spent up to that cap but still cannot bring a property up to the standard may register an exemption lasting 10 years.
Government impact assessments estimate the average spend per property, once the cap is taken into account, at about £5,400. LandlordBuyer says the cost of meeting the EPC deadline on older rental properties could lead some landlords to reassess whether to keep or sell parts of their portfolios.
For landlords with several lower-rated properties, the combined costs could quickly become significant, LandlordBuyer notes, and may influence which properties remain viable as long-term investments.
"2030 might still sound a long way away, but landlords with older or lower-rated properties should be thinking about their options now," said Jason Harris-Cohen, managing director of LandlordBuyer.
"For some, investing in improvements will make complete financial sense. For others, particularly where substantial work is required, selling could become the more attractive option."
The EPC deadline also lands during a period of regulatory change in England's private rented sector. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force for most private tenancies on 1 May 2026, ending Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and moving most existing assured shorthold tenancies onto assured periodic tenancies.
LandlordBuyer believes the combination of regulatory change and potential capital expenditure makes portfolio planning increasingly important. It expects 2026 and 2027 to be key planning years for landlords deciding the shape of their rental portfolios, with just over four years until the new standards take effect. The firm also points out that landlords considering an exit do not necessarily have to wait until a property becomes vacant.
"Every property should be assessed on its own merits," Harris-Cohen added. "Landlords need to understand the current EPC rating, the potential cost of improvements and the long-term return the property is generating."
"Doing that analysis early gives landlords much more time to decide whether upgrading, holding or selling is the right option before the 2030 deadline arrives."
