The government has formally confirmed the 2030 deadline for private rental properties to achieve an EPC Band C rating. With another regulatory update, following the Decent Homes Plan, landlords face a dual challenge: meeting immediate safety standards while planning for the EPC C 2030 landlords mandate. Under the current EPC (SAP) calculations, running older, inefficient heating on a single-rate tariff can negatively impact your score.
Right now, the biggest concern isn’t whether changes to the heating system are needed, it’s how costly and disruptive the installment could be. With solutions like air source heat pumps requiring lifted floorboards, new pipework, and days (or weeks) of installation time, deep retrofits may not be convenient for tenants renting private accommodation. Sometimes this can lead to lost rental income and frustration given the disruption.
While there is no single ‘magic fix’ for EPC compliance, there is, however, an alternative heating strategy which landlords can maximise to improve the EPC rating on their property, all without significantly disturbing their tenants.
Understanding the EPC C requirements 2030 landlords must meet
The new EPC regulations mean that by 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must reach a minimum EPC rating of Band C for all tenancies — unless they’re exempt under the new EPC rules for landlords.
One of the most discussed aspects of the update is the £10,000 cost cap. To break this down, put simply:
- Landlords are required to spend up to £10,000 on energy efficiency improvements
- For properties valued under £100,000, the cost cap is 10% of the property value
- Once a heating upgrade has been installed, if the property still can’t reach Band C, an exemption can be registered
- Exemptions must be evidence-based and formally lodged, such as if tenants refuse access to the property
With these caveats in place, how can landlords have the biggest impact on their EPC rating within reason of their budget? Reassuringly, this is where epc rating improvements for landlords – specifically High Heat Retention Electric Storage Heaters – offer a strategic, low-disruption path to compliance.
Here’s some of the ways installing a modern electric heater can help alleviate EPC costs and concerns around efficiency and budget:
- HHR storage heaters, like Fischer’s Elektrostore HHR Storage Radiator, deliver a strong improvement in EPC scoring
- Landlords can allocate a cost-effective portion of the £10k cap to upgrade the existing heating system
- Landlords can commit to installing the heating upgrade while avoiding disruptive structural works for their tenants
For landlords managing multiple properties, this kind of scalable, cost-controlled upgrade becomes even more important, reducing disturbance for multiple tenants and sources of revenue.
Managing electric heating systems and the EPC Score
There’s an important, and often misunderstood, factor within EPC calculations. In this case, not all electric heating solutions are treated equally.
EPC ratings are generated using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). This system evaluates energy performance of homes based on factors like insulation, heating system type, and crucially, fuel cost assumptions. But this is where the rate of energy and efficient heating systems don’t quite align.
- Standard electricity has a higher unit cost than gas in SAP calculations
- Direct electric radiators (panel heaters, plug-in heaters) are treated as a higher cost to run
- Simply replacing a gas boiler with standard electric heating can lower an EPC score
- Relying on a standard electric boiler EPC rating without considering the wider SAP impact can unintentionally lower your score
And this is often where landlords could get caught out. On paper, switching to electric is an efficient way to reduce your property’s use of fossil fuels and energy bills long-term, but without the right system and proper insulation installed, it can work against EPC compliance.
Why HHR storage heaters work differently for SAP energy ratings
Reassuringly for landlords, High Heat Retention (HHR) storage heaters are treated very differently within SAP. Unlike standard electric systems, HHR heaters:
- Charge using off-peak electricity tariffs (lower-cost energy overnight)
- Store heat within high-density cores
- Release warmth gradually throughout the day
Because of this, SAP recognises HHR systems as a more cost-effective heating method, which are 27% cheaper to run than standard storage heaters. Privately rented accommodation will therefore benefit from the electric heating upgrade, with old existing manual storage heaters being swapped to modern electric HHR systems. That way, landlords can improve the EPC score within budget and adhere to the requirements of the Decent Homes Standard too.
Another benefit of navigating these epc rental changes with Fischer is that our ElektroStore HHR heaters can typically be installed in just one day. This means you can upgrade your properties while keeping tenants comfortable in their homes without disruption, managing your rental income consistently all without major building work taking place.
Maintaining compliance and your tenants comfort
With the Decent Homes Standard being extended to privately rented accommodation in 2026, understanding the new epc rules for landlords has become even more important to ensure you are contributing to your tenant’s wellbeing.
With modern electric HHR systems installed, landlords can rest assured knowing their property is equipped with a reliable electric heating system which can provide:
- Consistent, regulated warmth
- Reduced need for tenant intervention
- Lower risk of cold spots
With damp and mould under scrutiny as part of the Decent Homes Standard, HHR systems are effective in preventing these kinds of conditions. As the energy is produced overnight using cheaper, off-peak electricity, during the daytime, the heat bank releases the warm energy slowly and consistently throughout the cold season, helping to maintain the property’s conditions and reducing the risk of damp.
With consistent heating and good living standards provided, your tenants should remain happy, warm and comfortable throughout their lease.
Building a holistic EPC strategy (that actually works)
It’s important to understand that managing rental property epc changes successfully by reaching EPC Band C is rarely achieved through a single heating upgrade. To maximise its efficiency, landlords must also ensure that insulation hacks are implemented to improve the overall performance of their home.
This includes installing:
- Quality curtain fabrics and carpets to insulate windows and floors
- Improving the loft insulation to reduce loss of heat
- Draught-proofing windows, doors and any (old) walls which may be suffering from cracks, allowing heat to escape
- (where possible) double glazing to prevent heat loss through old windows
Landlord FAQ: EPC C Compliance & 2030 Regulations
What are the EPC requirements for landlords by 2030?
By 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must reach a minimum EPC rating of Band C for all tenancies — unless they’re exempt under the new epc rules for landlords.
How much are landlords required to spend on EPC improvements?
Landlords are required to spend up to £10,000 on energy efficiency improvements. For properties valued under £100,000, the cost cap is 10% of the property value. Once a heating upgrade has been installed, if the property still can’t reach Band C, an exemption can be registered.
Are High Heat Retention (HHR) storage heaters more efficient for EPC ratings?
Yes. SAP recognises HHR systems as a more cost-effective heating method, which are 27% cheaper to run than standard storage heaters. Privately rented accommodation will therefore benefit from the electric heating upgrade, with old existing manual storage heaters being swapped to modern electric HHR systems.
How does the Decent Homes Standard affect heating in 2026?
With the Decent Homes Standard being extended to privately rented accommodation in 2026, heating performance has become even more important. HHR systems are effective in preventing damp and mould, which are under scrutiny as part of the standard, by releasing warm energy slowly and consistently.
Book an EPC-focused heating survey today
With EPC compliance there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. As every property is different, a good next step landlords can take is getting a heating survey to assess what heating system upgrades are possible and which will deliver the most impact to your rating.
Waiting until the deadline draws in 2030 may be tempting, but often it can mean installer demand increases and you’re unable to book a specialist fitting in.
By having a heating survey taken early, this gives landlords time to phase improvements across multiple properties, manage the £10,000 budget cap (per property) and avoid further disruption for your tenants.
Get ahead of the 20230 deadline (that’s just four years time) and book a free home heating survey. Our team will provide a no-obligation assessment to make sure you’re provided with accurate information to install the Elektrostore HHR Storage Radiator heating system and improve your EPC rating.