Labour's new EPC regulations could cost Sir Keir Starmer up to £28,000 in renovations for his rental property.

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After moving into 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister, Starmer began renting out his £2 million, four-bedroom townhouse in North London.

However, the Mail on Sunday reports that the property's energy efficiency rating does not meet Labour's proposed minimum standards for landlords, necessitating expensive upgrades.

A spokesperson for a trade association told the Mail: “Upgrading to an EPC C will require a higher level of investment – and the ability of landlords to fund this will vary, particularly given the regional variability in their options to leverage finance from their property values.

“Some landlords may have to increase rents to match increased maintenance costs. The costs of these changes vary greatly on the type of property.

“It is also important to take into consideration how landlords are impacted by the region their properties are based in.”

In 2021 the association’s research revealed that in certain local authority areas in the North and Midlands, the cost of upgrading home energy efficiency can be as high as 25% of the property's value.

Conversely, in wealthier areas of London and the South East, retrofitting with heat pumps costs less than 2% of the property's value.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has set a new mandate requiring all rented properties in England to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030.

The current EPC requirement is only an E rating.

To meet the stricter standards, Mr. Starmer's property would need upgrades like wall insulation, with costs estimated between £13,035 and £28,235 failure to upgrade to the mandatory EPC rating by 2030 could lead to fines up to £30,000.

Similarly, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves faces challenges with her four-bedroom home in South London which she rents out which reportedly needs loft and floor insulation, and potential solar water heating to meet the new regulations.

Ms. Reeves faces upgrade costs estimated between £8,400 and £13,050.

She is also joined by more Labour frontbenchers, such as Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray, who also rent out properties with low EPC ratings.

Housing Minister Rushanara Ali rents owns two flats that he rents out with D ratings, which will need upgrades costing between £8,850 and £21,500.

Labour has committed £6.6 billion to its 'warm homes plan,' offering grants and low-interest loans to help landlords with necessary upgrades.

Despite this, there are concerns that older properties might struggle to meet the C rating, which could lead landlords to sell their properties, decreasing rental availability and potentially driving up rents for tenants.