With just three years left before the 2028 deadline, landlords across England face mounting pressure to upgrade their properties to meet the Government’s proposed minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC rating C. New research by LandlordBuyer highlights the scale of the challenge: over 1.8 million privately rented homes remain below the target.
Widespread Non-Compliance
The analysis, based on the latest data from the MHCLG and EPC Register (Q2 2025), shows that only 42.3% of privately rented homes in England currently meet the EPC band C standard or higher. This leaves 1.82 million rental properties rated D or below—many of which will need significant and costly retrofit works to comply.
The average cost to upgrade a D-rated property to C is estimated between £7,400 and £10,000, depending on the property type and location.
Stark Regional Differences
Energy efficiency compliance rates vary significantly across regions:
- London: 56.1% of private rented homes are rated C or above, with 310,000 still below C.
- South West: 37% rated C+, leaving 210,000 below C.
- North West: 33.9% rated C+, with 290,000 below C.
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 32.8% rated C+, with 265,000 below C.
These figures show that landlords in northern regions could face even greater challenges in meeting the target.
The Financial Impact on Landlords
Jason Harris-Cohen, managing director at LandlordBuyer, commented:
“This represents a significant retrofit challenge for landlords, many of whom face difficult decisions between absorbing costly upgrade expenses, raising rents, or exiting the market altogether. Without urgent action and financial incentives, both landlords and tenants risk being caught in a difficult position – landlords struggling with affordability and tenants facing higher energy bills.”
Conclusion: Time for Action and Support
As the 2028 deadline draws closer, it’s clear that landlords will need practical solutions and targeted support to meet energy efficiency standards without passing the burden onto tenants. Government incentives, clearer enforcement timelines, and affordable retrofit options will be key to achieving these goals.
