While the government’s current proposal is that EPC C will not apply to new tenancies until 2028 and to all tenancies from 2030, any landlord thinking they have time to wait are wrong.

1st May 2026 is the date that changes everything for UK landlords.

From this date, under the Renters’ Rights Act, it becomes far harder to evict tenants, and tenants gain new powers, support and incentives to report poor conditions, hazards, energy inefficiency and neglect. Councils have been preparing for this shift for months. Several already employ specialist officers trained to help tenants pursue Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) — a mechanism that will allow tenants to reclaim up to two years’ rent from landlords for a wide range of offences, including poor property conditions, ahead of the EPC standard changes.

And the financial risk doesn’t stop there. Breaches linked to unsafe or unhealthy conditions — including damp, mould, inadequate heating, or failure to comply with an Improvement Notice — can trigger civil penalties of up to £30,000, multiple fines on separate breaches, prohibition orders, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution.

Even before EPC C becomes mandatory, a cold, damp or inefficient home is enough to put a landlord in legal and financial jeopardy after May 2026.

All of this means landlords should evaluate EPC upgrades now rather than waiting for the later legal deadline. Improving efficiency, ventilation and safety standards early drastically reduces the risk of complaints, enforcement action and costly disputes once tenants are empowered and councils shift to a much more proactive enforcement model.

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Renovation Costs and Practical Considerations for Reaching EPC C

Below is a clear breakdown of the most common improvements needed to reach EPC C, what they cost, how long they take, and whether the work can be carried out with tenants in situ.

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1. New Boiler (Combi or High-Efficiency System)

Why: One of the most effective EPC boosts, especially if replacing an older G- or F-rated boiler.

• Typical cost: £1,800–£4,500 (depending on model, pipework, relocation, flue changes)
• Time required: 1–2 days (up to a week if changing system type/location)
• Can tenants remain? Usually yes; short disruption to heating/hot water

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2. Loft Insulation (270–300mm depth)

Why: One of the cheapest EPC gains with fast payback.

• Typical cost: £200–£800 for most lofts
• Time required: Half a day to a full day
• Can tenants remain? Yes; minimal disruption

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3. Cavity Wall Insulation (where suitable)

Why: Major reduction in heat loss; cost-effective in most cavity-built homes.

• Typical cost: £500–£1,500
• Time required: 1–2 days
• Can tenants remain? Yes
• Caution: A detailed pre-installation survey is essential — forums regularly report damp issues where installers did not assess exposure, wall condition or bridging risks properly.

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4. External Wall Insulation (solid walls)

Why: For many Victorian/Edwardian homes, this is the only major insulation route.

• Typical cost: £8,000–£20,000+
• Time required: 2–4 weeks
• Can tenants remain? Usually yes, but scaffolding, noise and access issues mean tenant cooperation is essential

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5. Window Upgrades (double glazing or secondary glazing)

Why: Significant EPC improvement and comfort boost.

• Typical cost: £500–£1,500 per window
• Time required: 1–3 days total
• Can tenants remain? Yes; work done room by room with scheduled access

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6. Ventilation Upgrades (to prevent damp/mould complaints)

Why: Absolutely essential under the new regulatory climate — many RRO and enforcement cases are triggered by condensation mould or poor air quality.

Types of upgrades:

• Extractor fans: £250–£800 per room
• Trickle vents / passive vents: £50–£200 per window/room
• PIV systems (Positive Input Ventilation): £800–£1,500
• MEV / MVHR (whole-house systems): £5,000–£15,000+

Time required:

• Extractors: hours
• PIV: half a day
• MVHR: several days plus ducting work

Tenants in situ? Generally yes, but access to kitchens, bathrooms, lofts and service cupboards is needed.

Important: Draught-proof homes or those with upgraded glazing often see worse moisture retention unless ventilation is upgraded at the same time.

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7. Smart Controls, TRVs, Draught Proofing, Tank Jackets

Why: Small improvements that collectively lift the EPC score.

• Typical cost: £50–£500
• Time required: A few hours
• Can tenants remain? Yes

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8. Solar PV (optional but increasingly popular)

Why: Can raise EPC rating and reduce tenants’ bills.

• Typical cost: £3,000–£8,000+
• Time required: 1–3 days
• Tenant impact: Minimal; mostly external/loft work

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Damp, Mould, and Legal Exposure — Why These Are Now Priority Risks

From May 2026, tenant complaints about damp, mould or cold homes will trigger faster council intervention, legal scrutiny, and potential RRO claims.
Common enforcement triggers include:

• Poor ventilation
• Lack of adequate heating
• Condensation mould
• Cold indoor temperatures linked to inadequate insulation
• Failure to comply with Improvement Notices

Penalties can include:

• Up to £30,000 in civil fines (per offence)
• Multiple fines for separate breaches (ventilation, heating, hazards)
• Rent Repayment Orders of up to two years’ rent
• Prohibition orders preventing letting until remedial works are completed

Upgrades that reduce mould/damp complaints are often cheaper than dealing with legal fallout.

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Timelines and Practicalities for Tenanted Properties

• Lead times are lengthening: expect 2–8 weeks for most installers, longer for glazing and insulation.
• Phase work sensibly:
  • Start with low-cost, low-disruption upgrades.
  • Follow with heating and glazing.
  • Plan major insulation well ahead and with tenant consent.
• Document everything:
  • Before and after photos
  • Receipts, warranties
  • Ventilation compliance
  • EPC recommendations and follow-up

This evidence is critical if a tenant claims the property is hazardous or inadequately maintained.

NB. If repairs or improvements that are required as a direct result of a breach of the landlord’s legal duty to provide a safe environment, the landlord may have to rehouse tenants for the improvement works if they need to make significant repairs.

Standard advice for landlord is: Don’t wait until you are ordered to make improvements or repairs!

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Cost Scenarios (Typical UK Examples)

1-bed terrace / flat (easy lift to EPC C)

Loft insulation + cavity wall insulation + high-efficiency boiler
→ £3,000–£6,000

3-bed semi (mixed construction)

Loft insulation + new boiler + some glazing + ventilation upgrades
→ £6,000–£18,000

Solid-wall Victorian terrace needing external wall insulation

May require full EWI plus ventilation and heating upgrades
→ £15,000–£35,000

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Why Waiting Until 2028/2030 Is a Trap

While the EPC deadline is years away, the real financial and compliance risk begins in May 2026.
Once tenants gain stronger powers and councils intensify enforcement, the cost of not upgrading becomes far higher than the cost of works — especially when a single poor-condition finding can trigger:

• £30,000 penalties
• Rent repayment claims
• Prohibition on letting
• Costly legal disputes

Early action is not just smart from an energy-efficiency standpoint — it is now a legal risk-management strategy.

Release Cash Fast With National Residential

For many landlords, the reality is simple: even with the best intentions, you may not have the funds to bring every property up to standard before tenant protections strengthen in May 2026. In that situation, a strategic solution is to sell part of your portfolio to release the capital needed to upgrade the rest.

Yes — selling and completing before May is a tough deadline in today’s slower market. But this is precisely where National Residential excels.

We specialise in selling rental properties quickly, including those in poor condition, low-yielding, or at risk of future enforcement.

By selling these units to investors with deeper pockets — buyers who can complete the improvement works and boost yields well before May — you free up cash to secure and future-proof your remaining assets.

And in a market already slowing, with further stagnation predicted as more landlords offload stock, accepting an 85–90% trade-price offer can be the difference between being stuck… and moving forward.

As an added benefit, once your sale is secured, we can provide an interest-free cash advance of up to £20,000 to ease cashflow immediately.

Just tell us which properties you want to sell, and we’ll explain how the advance works.