Extended EPC C Deadline for Rented Properties

The government has announced a significant change to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements for rented properties. The deadline for landlords to ensure their properties meet a minimum EPC C rating has been moved to 1st October 2030. This new deadline applies equally to both existing and new tenancies, aligning the standards across the private rented sector.

In support of this initiative, low-interest loans will be made available to landlords to fund energy efficiency improvements. The government’s Warm Homes Plan, announced concurrently, emphasises insulation and upgraded windows as key measures to improve property energy performance.

Notably, the maximum spending cap for improvements has been reduced from £15,000 to £10,000 per property. For properties valued under £100,000, this cap will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis. Additionally, any qualifying improvements made from October 2025 onwards can be counted towards this spending limit.

What this means for landlords: Landlords should begin planning for these changes, considering the financial implications and timing of upgrades. The alignment of standards for all tenancies simplifies compliance but requires early engagement to meet the new deadline.

Importance of Monitoring Licensing Scheme Renewals

Landlords must remain alert to the expiry and renewal of local licensing schemes, which typically run for five years but vary widely in renewal processes across councils. Crucially, licensing schemes do not automatically renew, and failure to reapply can result in landlords falling out of compliance and facing enforcement action.

When a scheme expires, councils may choose to let it lapse, renew it, or redesignate boundaries and rules. This often comes with increased fees and potentially new conditions relating to fire safety, management, or reporting requirements. Therefore, landlords cannot assume existing licensing terms remain valid.

Generally, landlords will need to submit a new application for renewal. This can be particularly challenging for those with properties across multiple local authorities, each with differing procedures. While some calls have been made for better council engagement with landlords, the responsibility remains firmly with landlords to keep up to date with their local licensing obligations.

What this means for landlords: Proactive monitoring of licensing scheme timelines and requirements is essential to avoid non-compliance and penalties. Landlords should maintain clear records and communicate regularly with local authorities.

Possession Claims and Court Readiness Under Scrutiny

Recent government statistics reveal that it now takes an average of 34 weeks from a landlord initiating a possession claim to the actual repossession of a property, marking the longest delay in four years. This slow process has raised concerns about the courts’ capacity to handle possession cases efficiently.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), has written to the Justice Select Committee requesting clarity on what the government means by courts being “court ready.” He emphasises that without a clear definition, it is unclear how the planned digitisation of possession cases will improve the situation or how success will be measured.

The first details of the new digital platform are expected in late spring 2026, but currently, there is little information on its design or impact on speeding up possession claims. The government has also stated it will intervene if the Tribunal system becomes overloaded, though no specifics have been provided.

What this means for landlords: Landlords should prepare for ongoing delays in possession proceedings and stay informed about forthcoming digital reforms. Engagement with representative bodies like the NRLA may help in understanding and influencing future court processes.

Councils Struggle to Manage Increasing HMO Licensing Demands

Spelthorne Council exemplifies the strain on local authorities managing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The council’s license applications have surged from 33 in 2022 to 115 in 2026, alongside a fourfold increase in complaints about illegal HMOs. A councillor described the situation as “fire fighting with no strategy.”

To address the backlog, the council has hired two contractors and sought additional government funding, including £100,000 specifically for HMO enforcement. However, this comes amid wider changes to council enforcement powers under the Renters’ Rights Act.

Complaints relate to anti-social behaviour, parking pressures, overcrowding, and the overall density of HMO properties. In response, Spelthorne plans to implement Article 4 Directions from March 2026, requiring planning permission for HMO conversions.

Additionally, the government will begin collecting mandatory enforcement data from local housing authorities, including the number of full-time staff dedicated to enforcement, increasing scrutiny on councils’ management of the private rented sector.

What this means for landlords: Landlords operating HMOs should anticipate tighter controls and increased enforcement activity. Planning permission requirements and local authority scrutiny are likely to intensify, making compliance and proactive engagement critical.

Additional Housing News Highlights

• Landlords are warned to beware of schemes attempting to circumvent the Renters’ Rights Act.
• London tenants have threatened legal action over excessive heat in flats.
• Short-term let landlords have won an exemption from EPC requirements.
• The Regulator of Social Housing has criticised councils for failings.
• Use of artificial intelligence by landlords is causing complications in tribunal hearings.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
• licensing scheme renewals
• possession claims process
• HMO licensing and enforcement
• Renters’ Rights Act compliance
• local authority planning permission
• private rented sector regulations
• court digitisation for possession cases
• landlord enforcement obligations
• tenant legal actions

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/