More than 1.8 million privately rented homes in England still fall short of the Government’s minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating C, according to analysis from LandlordBuyer.
The research used Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and EPC Register data from Q2 2025 and found only 42.3% of privately rented homes in England currently meet EPC band C or above.
That leaves 1.82 million rental properties rated D or below, many in need of significant retrofit works.
In London, 56.1% of private rented homes were rated C or above, with around 310,000 below C.
The South West saw 37% at C or above and 210,000 below.
In the North West just 33.9% of homes were rated C+, with 290,000 below C.
Yorkshire and the Humber had 32.8% at C or above and 265,000 below.
The total cost of meeting the EPC target could be over £15bn, raising concerns about affordability and the possible impact on tenants.
Jason Harris-Cohen, managing director at LandlordBuyer, said: “With just three years to meet the government’s EPC band C target, over 1.8 million privately rented homes still fall short of the required energy efficiency standard.
“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.
“The regional disparities in compliance also highlight the need for targeted support and clear government enforcement timelines.”
Harris-Cohen added: “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.
“LandlordBuyer are committed to helping landlords navigate this evolving landscape by offering fast, chain-free sales options, enabling smarter investment and exit strategies in a rapidly changing market.”
Tenants in D-rated homes typically pay around £420 more a year in energy bills compared to those in C-rated homes.
The Government has not yet finalised the timeline for enforcement.
LandlordBuyer is calling for clearer guidance from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), more financial incentives or grants to support retrofit works, and local authority partnerships to identify at-risk homes and support landlords.
