Letting agents’ body Propertymark is taking credit for a softening of government policy on EPC targets for the private rental sector (PRS).

PRS homes must meet EPC Band C by October 2030 unless an exemption applies. 

This extended deadline is described by Propertymark as “a welcome change” from a possible 2028 target date and, there body says, follows its meeting with the energy minister. 

Properties meeting EPC C before October 2029 will be treated as compliant until that EPC expires.  

Landlords will be able to choose which upgrades work best for their property, and a spending cap of £10,000 will apply. 

Improvements made from October 2025 will count towards the cost cap. 

If £10,000 would represent 10% or more of the property value, a low-value property exemption will apply.  

However, Propertymark says the government approach is still open to improvement.

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at the body, says: “Landlords are being asked to deliver, in many cases, substantial and costly upgrades to reach EPC C by 2030.

“Yet this is being imposed without clear, long-term funding commitments, realistic delivery timescales, or sufficient flexibility for older, complex, and hard-to-treat properties. 

“A phased and realistic approach would allow landlords to maintain the Decent Homes Standard, manage costs effectively, and contribute meaningfully to the UK Government’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2050.

“Crucially, there remains no clarity on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for non-domestic property, despite expectations that commercial landlords will be required to meet EPC B by 2030. 

“The absence of detail on interim targets, exemptions, enforcement, and financial support makes it impossible for landlords to plan responsibly or invest with confidence.”