The Property Energy Professionals Association (PEPA), the trade association representing Energy Assessor Accreditation Schemes, says there’s an urgent need for reform of Energy Performance Certficates.
The government has reaffirmed its ambition for all privately rented homes to reach EPC C by 2030, with new tenancies expected to comply from 2028. The consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards closed in May 2025, and while many expect a phased rollout (possibly to 2033 or even 2035), the agency says the direction of travel is clear. Energy efficiency is shifting from ambition to requirement.
Earlier this week LRG – formerly Leaders Romans Group – issued a statement saying that while landlords overwhelmingly support the principle of improving energy efficiency, confidence in the system designed to drive those improvements was faltering. A survey by LRG of its clients revealed that only 16% of landlords were “very confident” in the current EPC ratings, and even fewer trusted the advice provided within them.
Now PEPA says that it acknowledges the concerns raised by LRG and landlords, and accepts that the lack of confidence “underscores whew urgent need for reform and clarity.”
However, it says it is important to recognise that two consultations are currently underway, which it says will shape the future of energy assessment and compliance in the private rented sector.
The first is an EPC Reform consultation, which remains open, with the final structure and metrics of any new EPC yet to be confirmed. PEPA says it has long demanded reform that delivers more accurate, actionable, and building-specific insights.
It says: “These reforms are essential to help landlords understand their properties in sufficient detail to plan for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards compliance and broader decarbonisation goals. We urge government to accelerate this process—landlords, tenants, and energy professionals alike need clarity and consistency.”
The second consultation, going, concerns MEES regulations for the private rental sector.
PEPA says: “Without confirmed details, energy assessors are limited in their ability to provide robust advice to landlords and letting agents. The industry needs clear guidance on what will be required, how compliance will be measured, and what support will be available. PEPA is actively working with government departments to ensure that this information is released as soon as possible.
“Further to this, we also await details on the government’s Warm Homes Plan which promises to bring billions of pounds of additional funding to the sector, which will hopefully assist
landlords to meet minimum standards.”
The association insists that it and its member schemes will be “at the forefront of delivering training, raising awareness, and supporting energy professionals to interpret and apply the new standards effectively. We are committed to ensuring that landlords receive consistent, high-quality advice that empowers them to make informed decisions about their properties.”
