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An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and measures the energy efficiency of a property on a scale of A-G, with 'A' being the most efficient. EPC’s were introduced in 2007 and are a legal requirement for a building to be sold, let or constructed. Once obtained, an EPC is valid for 10 years.
The certificate also provides recommendations on how to improve the property’s energy efficiency with a view to achieving a better result after improvements are made to help save money for whoever if paying the energy bill and help the environment.
Currently the government’s minimum Level of Energy Efficiency standard for all domestic private rented property is EPC band E but they announced recently (February 2025) that they are consulting on new plans to mandate all private landlords in England and Wales to meet a higher energy performance rating of EPC band C in their properties by 2030.
Previous to this, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had proposed that all rental properties will need an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above by 2025 the new regulations were planned to be introduced for new tenancies first, followed by all tenancies from 2028 however despite a consultation that started in 2020, the government scrapped all deadlines in Sept 2023, so it awaits to be seen if the current consultation will result in the increased EPC standards being put in place or not.
Either way, everyone here at Readylet properties understand how important it is for the properties we sell to be as energy efficient as possible, so as part of ReadyLets refurbishment process we ensure the properties have the following-
This means that the majority of the properties we sell already have EPC grade C/D. We then continue to work closely with Durham Warm home Scheme, engaging with all the local initiatives available relating to the thermal enveloping of groups of properties an area at a time, which include various insulation options and external wall cladding (shown on the properties in the picture below) often fitted free of charge. Following the insulation work the properties will then usually achieve an EPC grade C or above.
We also work with an EPC improvement company who is able to secure grants to improve the EPC ratings of individual properties with EPC E and below, which means that a whole suit of works can be carried out on these properties (subject to tenant qualification and property survey) which we include in the price of the properties. Work done by this company normally improves EPC ratings to EPC grade B/C, and can include any of the following work
The majority of our tenants are on a low income and on universal credit, so we encourage the tenants to take advantage of any benefits available to them from the council and Green Deal Companies and also encourage tenants to use LED light bulbs. We are currently looking into fitting pendant light fittings that will only allow installation of energy efficient light bulbs.
We are keeping on top of current government guidance regarding Heat pumps as they are a hot topic (excuse the pun!) but we are not currently considering moving to heat pumps as the government are still quite a way away from making the move to heat pumps mandatory, and they are comparatively very expensive options at present. It is our understanding that no-one will be forced to remove their existing fossil fuel boilers, with this transition of the next 14 years seeing the UK’s households gradually move away from fossil fuel boilers in an affordable, practical and fair way, enabling homeowners to easily make these green choices when the time comes to replace their old boiler. Given the lifetime of a natural gas boiler is around 15 years, in order to reach Net Zero in a cost-effective consumer-friendly way, the government aims to phase out the installation of new natural gas boilers beyond 2035. They also aim to set a clear ambition for industry to reduce the costs of installing a heat pump by at least 25-50% by 2025 and to ensure heat pumps are no more expensive to buy and run than gas boilers by 2030 by which point they may naturally become the obvious, affordable choice.
Source - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-to-drive-down-the-cost-of-clean-heat & https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy
If you wish to discuss EPCs or Heat pumps in more detail, please contact us on 01483 663001.