Improve EPC rating: the cost to reach band C
Expect to pay around £6,000 on average to improve EPC rating from D to band C in a rented home, by the government's estimate. What you pay will depend on your home's needs.
The source of the estimate
These numbers come from the government's impact assessment on the landlord rules due in 2030. One band figure is given: about £6,000 to move a home up from D to C.
Separate figures aren't given for bands E, F and G, nor for houses or flats. Instead, the estimate draws on what all homes spend on average, roughly £5,400 (government response).
Many of the modelled upgrades fall between £4,000 and £7,000, and some sit near £10,000.
What it costs to improve EPC rating from D to C
Per property, landlords won't be required to spend above £10,000 (government response). If a home is worth less than £100,000, the cap works out at 10% of that value.
From 1 October 2025, the EPC improvement cost of any relevant work will go towards that cap.
An example appears in the impact assessment. Take a D home rented out at £16,788 a year. At C, its post-tax earnings could rise by £494 a year. A £6,000 upgrade would then pay for itself in roughly 12 years.
What the EPC recommendations section shows
Each certificate sets out steps that would cut the home's energy use. For every step you get an approximate cost, a typical saving per year, plus the rating you'd have once it's done (EPC guide).
Each rating builds on the ones before it, following the listed order. Doing every cost-effective step is what the potential rating assumes.
A government example EPC provides the sample costs shown here (landlord guidance).
| Measure | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Low energy lighting | £20 |
| Draught proofing | £80 to £120 |
| Room-in-roof insulation | £1,500 to £2,700 |
| Internal or external wall insulation | £4,000 to £14,000 |
| Solar panels for electricity | £5,000 to £8,000 |
Landlords: why the list is important
A measure missing from the list can't go towards an "all relevant improvements made" exemption if it fails to reach E (landlord guidance). Check the landlord guide to read the 2030 rules.
Grants that lower the cost
A Boiler Upgrade Scheme payment of £7,500 goes towards a heat pump that warms radiator water (government response). This grant doesn't count towards the cap as far as landlords are concerned.
If a landlord gets other funding, like a government scheme, it counts. You can compare energy grants available in your nation.
Ask local installers for quotes
Tell us about the home and installers who work on rentals near you can quote for the upgrade.
Common questions about EPC improvement cost
What's the cost of moving from EPC D to C?
For a privately rented home, the government's estimate puts it at around £6,000 on average. Your quotes may turn out different.
Does grant money go towards the £10,000 cap for landlords?
Most funding from third parties does, and that includes government schemes. Boiler Upgrade Scheme payments don't.
Will landlords need a fresh EPC once the work is done?
Yes, under the 2030 plan. Homes under C must have a new-style EPC before any work starts, then another afterwards, to prove they comply.
Where can I see my EPC recommendations?
Your certificate lists them. Your EPC can be downloaded at no cost from the government register.