EPC C Is Coming. Why Landlords Need to Think Beyond the Deadline

The government has now confirmed that rental properties in England and Wales will need to meet EPC C by 1 October 2030, as part of its recently published Warm Homes Plan.

At first glance, the announcement appears to be positive news for landlords. But as with most regulatory changes, the detail matters far more than the headline.

At The Property Edge, we’re encouraging landlords to look past the date itself and focus on what this change really means for portfolio planning, cost control, and long-term flexibility.

What Has Changed?

The key headline points are:

• The EPC C deadline has been moved to 1 October 2030

• The proposed cost cap has been reduced to £10,000

• Properties worth under £100,000 will have a cap of 10% of property value

• Existing EPC Cs in place by 1 October 2029 will be grandfathered until they expire

• EPC validity has been confirmed at 10 years

On the surface, this gives landlords more time and more certainty.

However, this is only part of the story.

The Bigger Shift Most Landlords Are Overlooking

From 1 October 2029, EPCs will no longer be assessed using the current RdSAP methodology.

Instead, the government plans to introduce a new framework known as the Home Efficiency Model (HEM).

This is a significant change, not a technical adjustment.

Under the current proposals, landlords may not be able to achieve an EPC C rating unless they also meet additional criteria, including:

• The Heating System Metric, which effectively means installing a heat pump, or

• The Smart Readiness Metric, which in practice refers to solar panels combined with a smart meter, or

• Qualifying for a specific exemption

Crucially, improving insulation and fabric efficiency alone may no longer be sufficient under the new model.

Why Timing Now Matters More Than Ever

This change creates a very clear planning window.

Any EPC C obtained before 1 October 2029:

• Will be assessed under the current methodology

• Will remain valid for 10 years

• Will be protected (“grandfathered”) until expiry

EPCs issued after this date will fall under the new Home Efficiency Model, with far more stringent requirements.

This doesn’t mean landlords should rush to install measures immediately, but it does mean that doing nothing without a plan carries risk.

EPC Is No Longer Just a Compliance Issue

Historically, EPCs have been treated as a tick-box requirement.

That mindset is no longer sufficient.

EPC decisions now affect:

• Long-term hold vs sell decisions

• Capital allocation across a portfolio

• Financing and refinancing options

• Future flexibility and exit planning

Approaching EPC purely as a cost-minimisation exercise can create unintended consequences later.

The more useful question is:

What role does this property play in my portfolio over the next 10–15 years?

What Landlords Should Be Thinking About Now

This is a thinking phase, not a panic phase.

Useful questions to consider include:

• Which properties are long-term core holdings?

• When do current EPCs expire?

• Which assets justify early intervention?

• Where does it make sense to wait and review once consultation outcomes are finalised?

The landlords who navigate this well won’t be the busiest; they’ll be the most deliberate.

Final Thoughts

The EPC C deadline moving to 2030 offers breathing room, but it does not remove the challenge.

The rules are changing, not disappearing.

Landlords who understand the direction of travel and align their decisions early will retain more control, flexibility, and resilience as regulations evolve.

As with most things in property, clarity beats urgency.