Prioritise low-cost improvements (for now):

With changes to the EPC metrics rating system coming in the latter half of 2026, you can first focus on small, incremental improvements until there's more clarity. This way, you can make steady progress towards meeting the new EPC requirements without breaking the bank.

These affordable upgrades can make a significant difference to your property's rating:

• Adding 270mm roof insulation can boost your rating by 10 to 15 points.

• Installing wall cavity insulation (costing £350 - £500) can increase your EPC score by 5 to 10 points.

• Adding hot water cylinder insulation can bump up the rating by 1.5 to 2 points.

• Switching to low-energy LEDs could add 1 to 2 points to your rating.

Government support on EPC upgrades

If you're still worried about the costs, there are several government schemes designed to help landlords reduce the costs associated with upgrading the property to be more energy-efficient.

Great news for some landlords as the Warm Homes: Local Grant can help you fund those EPC upgrades. Starting in 2025, this grant will be available for English private landlords with tenants on low incomes or properties rated EPC D to G. Want to know if you’re eligible? Check out our latest blog on the Warm Homes: Local Grant for more details.

There are also other schemes to help ease the financial burden of energy efficiency improvements, like the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme that aims to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions by promoting energy efficiency measures. It supports low-income, fuel-poor, and vulnerable households by helping with insulation and heating system upgrades.

And the Great British Insulation Scheme focuses on delivering single insulation measures to the least energy-efficient homes. It's available to homeowners, landlords, and tenants with properties rated EPC D to G and within certain Council Tax bands.

But before diving into any changes, remember to conduct an EPC assessment and prioritise low-cost improvements first. Start small, and staying compliant with the new EPC regulations will be much more manageable.

Did you know some lenders will offer rate reductions based on rating?

Lenders typically offer between 5 to 10 basis points (bps) discount for A-C rated properties. For example, if the standard product switch rate is 4.50%, your rate could be reduced to between 4.40% and 4.45%.

Once your property hits a C rating or better, you'll get the discount on any new mortgage products for single self-contained properties. This also means any new loans you take out with us for properties rated C or higher will benefit from the lower rates.

Here's a breakdown of potential savings on a loan size of £250,000 on a 5-year fixed rate:

So, A-C rated properties usually get a 5-10 bps lower rate than standard products. Based on a loan size of £250,000, this could save you between £624 and £1,249 over a 5-year fixed rate period.

*This information is Credited to Paragon PLC Feb 2026. Paragon Bank PLCParagon Bank PLC