2026-02-12 |
Clarity Emerges, But Challenges Remain for Rural Energy Compliance
Long awaited clarity has finally started to emerge for rural landlords navigating the evolving landscape of the Energy Performance of Buildings regime.
Rebecca Ruck Keene, Partner and Head of Rural Property Management at Fisher German, says that while this is welcome, the government needs to recognise what is realistic when it comes to rural properties.
Rebecca Ruck Keene
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has now issued a partial response to its Energy Performance of Buildings consultation, offering welcome but incomplete guidance. The full response is due later this year, yet even this initial update carries significant implications for rural property owners.
Meeting EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ‘C’ standards by 2030 will be very difficult for many rural landlords, especially those with heritage properties, so it is clear that a realistic and strategic approach will be required.
The past year has brought considerable uncertainty, with the government’s review of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) raising questions about the future viability of rural and heritage lettings.
Rural landlords cannot simply retrofit their way to compliance using solutions suitable for more modern properties, so the government’s growing recognition of the sector’s unique challenges is not only positive, but essential.
The government now acknowledges that rural and older properties face higher upgrade costs and technical constraints. Crucially, the updated guidance confirms that any spend on qualifying energy efficiency improvements from October 1, 2025 will count toward the cost cap, currently set at £10,000 per property.
This confirmation provides much needed certainty for landlords planning staged investment. It allows them to move forward with confidence rather than waiting in limbo.
The launch of the Warm Homes Plan marks a major milestone, offering targeted grants to support insulation upgrades, heating system improvements, and other measures. These financial supports are particularly critical for rural businesses, long hindered by the steep upfront costs of retrofit work.
Yet even with funding, the path is far from simple. Landlords with properties below a ‘C’ rating will need to invest carefully and strategically. Not all energy efficiency measures are created equal, and not all will count under the government’s evolving metrics.
For heritage landlords, the challenge is even more acute. Many properties are off-grid or rely on traditional materials, while others face statutory restrictions. Documenting these constraints will be essential when seeking exemptions or extended compliance timelines.
This partial response provides clarity, but not certainty. The sector still needs answers and will continue pushing for a proportionate, practical approach that protects both rural livelihoods and our built heritage.
As landlords await the full government response later this year, the next steps are clear and should involve assessing portfolios, planning investment strategies, engaging early with professional advisers, and remaining actively involved in the consultation process.
Progress is finally being made, but as a sector we must look to ensure that future policy evolution remains grounded in the practical realities facing rural property owners.
The government has also signalled exemptions for short‑term lets and heritage assets where standard energy improvements could undermine character or viability. This again is a welcome step, as one size simply does not fit all, and policy is finally beginning to reflect that reality.
The confirmation that EPCs are not currently required for short‑term lets also brings relief, though this is an area to watch closely as further consultation is expected so could be subject to change.
