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Rental property has been set a government target to meet an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030. Although new funding in support of this initiative has been announced, the grants will not help all landlords.

Around a third of rental properties were built before 1919, many with solid walls. Such property will be particularly difficult to bring up to an EPC C rating. From 2030, it will not be possible to legally rent out a property without such a rating.

Grant conditions

From 1 April 2025, a grant of up to £30,000 will be available for a landlord to improve their first rental property. This funding will be capped at £15,000 for energy performance upgrades and £15,000 for low carbon heating:

• For second and subsequent properties, the overall grant will be capped at £15,000, with the landlord having to contribute a corresponding amount (or more).
• If a property is situated within an eligible postcode area, it will automatically qualify for a grant. Around half of England’s postcode areas qualify, selected on deprivation factors.
• Other properties will qualify if rented to tenants who receive certain means-tested benefits (such as universal credit or housing benefit), or the tenants’ annual gross income is less than £36,000.

There is no limit on the number of properties for which a landlord can claim grants, but the overall maximum funding per landlord will be £315,000.

Properties will only qualify for a grant if they have an EPC rating between D and G. After upgrading, a property should reach a C rating wherever possible.

Upgrades

Upgrades include:

• Low carbon heating: Clean heat measures such as heat pumps or high retention storage heaters. Older properties may, however, be unsuited to heat pumps, and the current method of calculating EPCs could result in a lower rating if a heat pump is installed.
• Energy performance upgrades: Measures such as double/triple glazing, insulation, draughtproofing, solar panels and smart heating controls.

A detailed explanation of the available grants can be found here.