https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/11/17/how-net-zero-will-deepen-the-uks-housing-crisis/

Landlords will soon face a stark choice. A retired teacher who rents a two-bedroom flat to supplement her pension might soon discover that her property is rated Band D. The cost of upgrading to Band C is from £5,000 to £8,000 – a cost she may not be able to bear. If she continues to let the property after 2028, she will be liable for a £30,000 penalty. The likely result is a forced exit from the rental market, reducing the supply of affordable housing at a time of chronic shortages.

The policy’s reach extends beyond those who let properties. Any homeowner who sells his home must provide a valid EPC. If the rating is below Band C and no exemptions apply, the sale cannot proceed until the necessary works are completed. For those inheriting a property, the burden falls on the estate. In each case, the £30,000 fine looms.