Nearly half (47%) of landlords in the UK mistakenly believe that the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C-rating requirements are merely guidance and not legally binding, according to research by Mortgage Advice Bureau.
The findings indicate confusion over the government’s deadline for rental properties to achieve a minimum EPC rating of C.
Despite 86% of landlords knowing their EPC rating, only 35% were aware it was a legal requirement, and 18% were unaware of the changes altogether.
Ben Thompson, deputy CEO of Mortgage Advice Bureau, said: “Landlords were facing a race against time to retrofit their properties and meet incoming EPC legislation.
“As well as cost of living pressures and higher interest rates working against landlords meeting the initial 2025 deadline, they were also clearly in the dark about the changes that they needed to make.
“While delaying the cut-off date before the law comes into place is clearly a sensible move, unless there is clear help unveiled to support with the cost of retrofitting, they could find themselves up against the deadline again in a few years’ time.
“An extension would also, sadly, mean that tenants will continue to struggle with higher energy bills, so it’s vital that the deadlines are not seen to be easily moved.
“Sooner or later, the inconvenient truth is that the retrofitting of properties that are sub-C (whether rented or owner-occupied) will most definitely need to be done.”
The study also revealed that landlords with only one property were more likely to be unaware of the changes, with 28% lacking knowledge of the required upgrades.
In contrast, landlords with six or more properties were all aware of the changes.
