Letting agents should encourage their landlords to consider making improvements to EPC ratings now, with consumer demand for more energy efficient properties stronger than ever.

Landlords have a legal duty to upgrade the EPC rating of their rental properties to grade C by 2030. However, the Iran war has driven up energy prices for tenants and other homeowners.

James Greenwood, managing director at Stacks Property Search, said demand for improved EPCs was already high before the war. “Demand for properties with strong EPC ratings (A or B) was already on an upward trajectory prior to the current Iran conflict, largely driven by the legacy of the 2022 energy shock, tightening regulation, and growing awareness of running costs. Highly rated homes were already emerging as premium, not just as environmentally responsible, but financially resilient,” he said.

However, the energy price rises have highlighted EPC ratings further. “The conflict is pushing up energy and fuel costs more broadly, feeding directly into inflation and household expenses. As a result, the cost gap between efficient and inefficient homes has widened, making EPC ratings far more financially consequential in day-to-day living,” Greenwood said,

Tips for landlord easy wins

Clare Coode, regional director for Stacks Cornwall, said a range of options were available to landlords to reduce heat loss and make heating and energy use more efficient. “The starting point is usually insulation with easy wins available by installing loft insulation, and addressing draughts around windows and doors, all of which will have a significant effect, especially in period properties where heat loss can be high.

“Adding smart heating controls – such as programmable thermostats and zoned system –helps ensure energy is only used where and when it’s needed, which is increasingly reflected in EPC assessments, and will have a positive impact on running costs.

 “More expensive upgrades include replacing an older boiler with a modern condensing model or moving to low-carbon systems such as air source or ground source heat pumps. Upgrading from single glazing to double or triple glazing reduces heat loss, while secondary glazing can offer a compromise for period or listed buildings where full replacement isn’t appropriate.”

Greenwood said the changing focus was further highlighted by rising demand for solar panels, heat pumps, and other efficiency upgrades since the outbreak of the conflict.

“In property terms, this same logic is reinforcing demand for homes that already incorporate such features – typically those with A or B ratings. These properties offer a degree of energy security, providing more predictable monthly outgoings at a time when uncertainty is high.”