Best EPC Improvements for Landlords in 2026

A property that misses the required EPC standard can quickly become a letting problem, but expensive work is not always the answer. The best EPC improvements for landlords are the measures that suit the property’s construction, improve the rating in the EPC calculation and provide sensible value over the life of the investment. A clear plan also prevents money being spent on upgrades that look impressive but make little difference to the final score.

For most privately rented homes in England and Wales, an EPC rating of E is currently the minimum standard, subject to exemptions. Requirements and proposed future changes can develop, while Scotland has its own framework, so landlords should check the rules that apply to their property before making a major commitment. Compliance is the starting point, not the whole strategy: lower running costs and a warmer home can help protect rental demand and reduce avoidable voids.

What actually improves an EPC rating?

An EPC is not simply a survey of how warm a property feels. It is a standardised assessment based on the home’s construction, insulation, heating, lighting and renewable technology. It uses assumed occupancy and energy costs, so the rating is not a prediction of a particular tenant’s bills. This explains why a measure with obvious comfort benefits may not always produce the score increase a landlord expects.

The most effective route depends on what is already in place. A Victorian terrace with an uninsulated roof needs a different plan from a modern flat with electric panel heaters. Start by reading the current EPC carefully, including its recommendations, recorded construction details and estimated rating. Check that the information is accurate before treating it as a work specification. If the assessor could not see insulation, for example, it may have been recorded as unknown rather than assumed to be present.

Evidence matters. Keep invoices, photographs, product specifications and installation certificates for any improvement work. When the updated EPC is carried out, this gives the assessor the best available evidence for recording the property correctly.

Best EPC improvements for landlords to consider

Insulate the roof and fabric first

Loft insulation is often among the strongest starting points where a loft is accessible and under-insulated. It is usually less disruptive than other fabric work and helps retain heat before the heating system has to replace it. The right depth, safe access around services and suitable ventilation should be considered rather than simply adding material without a plan.

Cavity wall insulation can also offer good value in suitable homes, particularly properties with empty, clear cavities. It is not appropriate for every wall or location. Exposure to wind-driven rain, poor brickwork, existing damp and the condition of the cavity all need professional consideration. Solid-wall insulation can make a substantial difference but is normally more costly and disruptive, whether installed internally or externally. It is usually best assessed as part of a wider refurbishment rather than selected purely for an EPC uplift.

Suspended timber floors may benefit from insulation beneath the floorboards, while draught-proofing gaps around doors, windows and service penetrations can improve comfort at relatively modest cost. These measures need care: a home must still have appropriate ventilation. Blocking designed vents or creating condensation risks is a false economy.

Improve heating controls before replacing working equipment

Heating controls are frequently overlooked because they are less visible than a new boiler or replacement windows. Yet a programmable thermostat, thermostatic radiator valves and sensible zoning can improve the way heat is used and may support a better EPC result. They are particularly worthwhile where a system has basic or outdated controls.

If the boiler is old and inefficient, replacement may be justified. However, changing a reasonably modern boiler just to chase a higher rating is not automatically the best use of capital. Confirm its age, fuel type, efficiency and condition first. A well-designed heating upgrade should suit the property, be simple for tenants to operate and have a reliable maintenance route.

For electrically heated properties, the case for change can be stronger. Older electric storage heaters, direct-acting heaters and poor controls can restrict both comfort and EPC performance. Modern high-heat-retention storage heaters or a properly designed heat pump system may be options, but the right choice depends on insulation levels, available electrical capacity, hot-water provision and the layout of the home.

Treat glazing as part of a wider plan

Replacing single glazing can improve comfort, reduce draughts and make a property more attractive to tenants. However, full window replacement can be costly, and its EPC impact is sometimes smaller than insulation or heating improvements. Where windows are in reasonable condition, repairs, draught-proofing or secondary glazing may be worth investigating first, especially in conservation areas or listed buildings.

If replacement is needed, ensure the specification is appropriate for the property and retain the installer’s paperwork. Do not assume that upgrading every window is the quickest route from a low rating to compliance.

Consider low-carbon heating and solar PV where the figures work

Solar photovoltaic panels can make a meaningful EPC contribution, particularly where roof orientation, shading and available area are favourable. They can also reduce electricity bought from the grid, although actual savings will depend on how and when tenants use power. Roof condition should be checked before installation, since it is rarely sensible to fit panels immediately before a roof replacement.

Heat pumps can be an excellent long-term measure in suitable homes, but they are not a simple swap for every gas boiler. The property’s heat loss, radiators, hot-water cylinder space, outdoor unit location and electrical supply all need to be considered. Improving insulation and controls first often produces a better result for the system and for occupants.

A whole-house approach is especially useful where several upgrades are planned. A PAS 2035 retrofit assessment can identify how measures interact, helping landlords avoid issues such as installing insulation without addressing ventilation or selecting heating before the property’s heat demand is understood.

Build an improvement plan around the property, not a generic checklist

A practical sequence is usually to verify the existing EPC, address straightforward fabric gaps, improve controls and then assess larger heating or renewable measures. This order reduces heat loss before investing in the system that supplies it. It also makes it easier to separate essential compliance work from longer-term upgrades that may be timed with a void, a refurbishment or planned maintenance.

Budget should include more than the headline installation price. Consider tenant disruption, access, redecorating, ongoing servicing, planning constraints and the likely lifespan of the work. In a tenanted property, clear communication and sensible scheduling are just as important as the technical specification.

Landlords with several properties should avoid applying one solution across the portfolio without checking each home. A top-floor flat may benefit most from loft insulation, while a ground-floor Victorian conversion may need attention to floor insulation, heating and ventilation. The EPC rating is property-specific, and so is the sensible investment case.

Common mistakes that waste landlord budget

The first mistake is relying on an old EPC without checking whether its recorded details are still correct. Improvements may already have been made, or information may have been unavailable at the time of assessment. A new assessment can sometimes produce a different outcome, but it should never be booked on the assumption that a rating will automatically rise.

The second is choosing measures solely from the recommendation list without considering condition and suitability. EPC recommendations are useful indicators, not a substitute for a survey, installer advice or a retrofit plan. Damp, ventilation and structural issues should be resolved before insulation work proceeds.

The third is failing to retain evidence. If an assessor cannot verify a measure, it may not be reflected as favourably as a landlord expects. Clear documentation helps make sure the completed work is properly recognised.

Finally, do not leave improvement planning until a new tenancy is about to begin. If a property is below the applicable standard, remedial work, exemptions and compliance evidence can take time. Early action gives more choice over contractors, timing and budget.

Before spending on major work, an accredited EPC assessor can explain what the current certificate records and identify where a more detailed retrofit assessment may be worthwhile. That early clarity gives landlords a practical basis for improving the home, supporting compliance and making decisions that still make sense after the certificate has been issued.