How to Upgrade a Rental to EPC C (2026): A Landlord's Guide

Updated July 2026. With the minimum standard for rented homes confirmed to rise to EPC C by 1 October 2030, most landlords will need to upgrade at least one property. The good news: a planned, budget-first approach usually gets you there for far less than a full retrofit. Here’s how.

What you’ll need to hit and what it can cost

Privately rented homes must reach the equivalent of EPC band C by 1 October 2030. A £10,000 cost cap per property applies, and the Government estimates the average spend will be around £5,400. If a property still falls short after you’ve spent the cap, you can register a 10-year exemption. See our MEES guide for the rules.

The best-value upgrades (cheapest first)

Loft insulation to the recommended depth — one of the cheapest ways to gain EPC points.
Cavity wall insulation where suitable.
Draught-proofing and a hot water cylinder jacket.
LED lighting throughout.
Efficient heating and controls — a modern boiler, a room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves.
Double glazing and, for harder cases, solid-wall insulation or a heat pump.

How to plan it

Check the current EPC and read its recommendations — they estimate the points each measure adds.
Do the cheap wins first and re-assess before committing to expensive measures.
Phase the work across a few years and between tenancies to spread cost and disruption.
Keep all evidence of spend in case you need an exemption.
Check GOV.UK for any grants before you pay — support schemes change.

Upgrading also cuts tenants’ bills and makes the property more lettable — see adding value on a budget.

Written by the Landlords Portal team. Sources: GOV.UK. General information, not legal advice.

Template pack from Landlords Portal

Run every inspection properly: the Property Inspection Kit

Dated evidence of the property's condition protects you in repair, damp and deposit disputes. This kit gives you every document for an inspection, written for landlords in England.