Robert Butler-Ellis, Renewables Sales Manager at Eco Approach, shares a data-driven roadmap for landlords to upgrade rental properties to EPC rating C ahead of tightening Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
The focus isn’t just compliance—it’s creating warmer, healthier, cheaper-to-run homes that boost tenant satisfaction, reduce voids, and deliver strong returns.
Key Retrofit Categories & Priorities
Robert breaks upgrades into three main buckets, ranked by impact, cost, and disruption:
- Fabric Upgrades (Insulation – The Foundation)
Roof/loft, cavity wall, external wall insulation, and simple fixes like cylinder jackets. These deliver the biggest long-term EPC gains and energy savings, especially for older solid-wall or pre-1950s properties. - Systems & Controls (Efficiency Boosters)
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), smart thermostats, programmers, high heat retention storage heaters, and LED lighting. Low-disruption, high-ROI winners—often adding 10–15 EPC points quickly with minimal tenant impact. - Renewables & High-Impact Add-Ons
Solar PV stands out for slashing bills and boosting scores (ideal for houses/upper-floor flats; less viable for ground/mid-floor flats).
Combine with fabric and controls for optimal results.
Property-Specific Pathways to EPC C
- Older Terrace Houses & Solid-Wall Properties: Start fabric-first (insulation), then layer systems and renewables.
- Post-1950s Cavity-Wall Stock: Cavity insulation + controls often suffice.
Ground/Mid-Floor Flats: Focus on non-structural wins like TRVs, double glazing, loft insulation, and system optimization—avoid high-disruption external works. - Post-2000 Builds: Usually good fabric; prioritize decarbonizing heating/controls and adding solar where possible.
ROI & Financial Sense
Robert stresses balancing EPC point gains per pound spent, upfront costs (minimise via green finance/grants), and disruption risk (to avoid lengthy voids).
Examples:
- Loft insulation: ~£1,100 install, up to £390 annual savings (fast payback, 40+ year lifespan).
- TRVs + smart controls + LEDs: Quick, low-cost EPC jumps with immediate tenant bill reductions.
- Solar PV: High upfront but strong ROI through energy generation and desirability.
Broader benefits include future-proofing against stricter regs, increasing property value, attracting better tenants, and passing savings on (e.g., lower bills = happier renters).
Practical Advice for Landlords
Your EPC report is a starting blueprint— you should model different upgrade scenarios with expert input. Prioritise low-risk, high-return measures first (insulation + controls) before tackling bigger jobs. Adopt a holistic, property-specific strategy rather than one-size-fits-all—it’s the smartest path to EPC C compliance and real value.
