In spite of the government’s announcing it had scrapped the proposed EPC regulated targets for PRS properties that would have come into force next year, landlords are still making EPC ratings and upgrades as their most important priority.

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A bridging loan and finance broker’s latest survey of 755 landlords finds that more than 70 per cent are planning to undertake energy efficiency  upgrades on their rental properties this year;  this has risen from the 68 per cent that intended to undertake energy efficiency improvements last year.

The government’s EPC ratings target for 2025 for all private rented properties must meet an EPC rating of C at least, however the government has moved the deadline to 2028.

The financial broker’s latest landlord survey finds that 77 per cent of landlords said that EPC ratings are a priority when making their decision to purchase a BTL property, and 70 per cent say the EPC ratings are important to their renters.

Georgia Galloway of the finance broker, said: “Our survey found that landlords continue improving their properties to improve EPC standards despite the delay in proposed regulations.

“With 60% of landlords having already completed EPC improvements in 2023, it’s evident that they are further undertaking energy-efficient investments.