The government has confirmed it plans to raise the energy standard for privately rented homes in England by 1 October 2030. Here is what has been announced and how to plan for it.
What has been announced
The government response published on 21 January 2026 sets out that privately rented homes should reach a standard described as equivalent to EPC C by 1 October 2030, or have a valid exemption registered. It applies to existing tenancies as well as new ones. An earlier idea of a 2028 deadline for new tenancies has been dropped. The changes still need legislation, so details can change.
| Point | What has been set out |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 1 October 2030 |
| Standard | Described as equivalent to EPC C, on new EPC metrics |
| Cost cap | £10,000 per property, lower for cheaper homes |
| Works that count | Improvements made from October 2025 count towards the cap |
| Today’s minimum | EPC E for most lets, unless exempt |
What upgrades usually cost
It depends on the home. Lower-cost steps such as loft insulation, draught proofing, low-energy lighting and better heating controls can move some homes a long way. Others need bigger works, such as cavity or solid wall insulation, a new boiler or a heat pump. The recommendations on the property’s EPC report are a good starting list.
How to plan
Start with the cheapest measures that give the biggest improvement, then work up. Plan works for when a property is empty if you can, and compare the total with the cost cap. If the cap is reached without hitting the standard, an exemption may apply, but it has to be registered.
Plan your upgrades
The EPC Upgrade Cost Planner estimates the cost of the works to bring a rental up to the target, compares it with the cost cap and lists measures from the lowest cost upwards, so you can see the order to do them in.