More than half of homes in England and Wales still carry an EPC rating of D or below, according to new analysis that underlines the size of the upgrade challenge facing landlords before tighter efficiency rules arrive later this decade.
Research published by Emperor Paint, using the government’s open EPC dataset, found that 55 percent of homes were rated in bands D to G. For landlords, that matters because rented homes in England and Wales are expected to move from today’s minimum EPC E standard to an equivalent of EPC C from 1 October 2030.
Older stock still dominates the lower bands
The analysis covered domestic EPC records from January 2008 to February 2026 and ranked 346 local authorities by the share of homes sitting in the lower bands. Isles of Scilly topped the table, with 84.97 percent of homes rated D or below, followed by Gwynedd on 74.32 percent and Pendle on 74.05 percent.
That does not mean every one of those properties will need the same level of work. EPC bands reflect a mix of insulation levels, heating systems, glazing, construction type and running costs. But the figures still point to a large stock of homes that are some distance from the level policymakers want the sector to reach.
LK has already reported that landlords put the average cost of reaching EPC C at £11,713 a property, while The Mortgage Works has launched finance support ahead of the 2030 deadline.
Why the next EPC system matters more for landlords
The timing is important because the EPC framework itself is changing. Under the Home Energy Model, assessments are expected to use four measures: fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness and energy cost. Those new metrics are due to be introduced this year and become compulsory from 1 October 2029.
For landlords, that creates a two-stage problem. First, many properties still sit below the likely future benchmark. Second, the method used to judge compliance is shifting just before the tighter rental standard is due to bite.
According to the government’s EPC open data search, the underlying records cover homes across England and Wales, including houses, flats, bungalows, maisonettes and park homes.
Jack Reading, marketing manager at Emperor Paint, said the new model would place more emphasis on how homes retain heat rather than simply how much energy they use. He argued that wetter conditions and wall performance are still not properly reflected in EPC scoring, which could leave some properties looking better on paper than they perform in practice.
That argument is self-interested – Emperor Paint sells exterior wall coatings – but the broader point will ring true for landlords with older solid-wall stock, exposed homes or properties in coastal and high-rainfall areas. The next round of compliance is unlikely to be solved by a single quick fix.
What this means for landlords
Landlords with older properties should treat the latest figures as another reminder to review EPCs early rather than wait for the final detail of the 2030 rules. The most exposed portfolios are likely to be those with older heating systems, weak insulation, harder-to-treat walls or properties already sitting at D or low C.
In practice, that means checking where each property currently scores, identifying which measures are most likely to lift performance, and budgeting before installer demand rises. Borrowing options, staged works and void-period planning may matter as much as the headline compliance date.
Editor’s view
The headline figure is not just about inefficient homes. It is a reminder that the rental sector is heading towards a stricter standard at the same time as the measurement system changes. For landlords, the risk is leaving upgrades too late and discovering the route to compliance is more expensive than expected.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 30 June 2026
Sources: Energy Performance of Domestic Buildings in England and Wales dataset, Emperor Paint analysis
Related reading: Nationwide says EPC A-B homes command 1.6% premium for landlords
🏠 EPC Rules for Landlords: What You Need to Know
Minimum EPC C required by 2030 – new assessment rules from late 2027
