A legal firm has expressed support for government plans to improve the metrics and methodology of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), however it emphasises the need for careful timing for landlords.

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The law firm mentions on its website that the government is expected to release a consultation report on the future of EPCs, aimed at improving their accuracy, likely in the latter half of 2026.

The firm welcomes this initiative in principle due to increasing concerns about EPC accuracy, referencing a recent Which? report it says: “There is substantial evidence that the metrics and information in many EPCs may be misleading, and homeowners, tenants, landlords and policy makers could be making decisions based on inaccurate information.”

However the law firm recommends that the government should be extremely careful over the timing of the future government policy.

It says: “While this consultation focuses on measurement and enforcement, we are also expecting an update from the government on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards that buildings need to achieve in order to be let.

“It is anticipated that as part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan a new target date of 2030 will be set for homes in the private rental sector to achieve a minimum EPC C rating … The relationship between adjusting the metrics used to measure a building’s energy efficiency and the minimum standards that must be achieved before that building can be let must be taken into account by the government in connection with reform.