What's actually coming down the track
Current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require an EPC of E or better for most domestic rentals in England and Wales. Government has been clear about its intent to raise the standard — the consultations and impact assessments have pointed at EPC C as the target, originally for 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for existing.
The dates have moved before. The direction hasn't. Any landlord with an EPC D or E rental is, on a reasonable planning horizon, looking at an upgrade route.
The £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant applies to private landlords on the same terms as homeowners. Combined with property-by-property sequencing, the route to EPC C across a portfolio is more affordable now than at any point since the scheme launched.
The reactive vs proactive picture
Reactive (most landlords)
- Boiler fails or new MEES standard kicks in. Property goes out of compliance.
- Installers are at peak demand. Quotes are higher, lead times longer.
- Decisions get made under pressure — sometimes good, often not.
- Grant availability may have tightened by then.
Proactive (the Thermova approach)
- Portfolio review across all rental units. Each property gets a route plan.
- Upgrades sequenced over 18–36 months, starting with worst-performing units.
- Current £7,500 grant locked into each install as it happens.
- Tenant disruption minimised — usually scheduled to gap between tenancies.
How Thermova works with landlord portfolios
| 1. Portfolio review | We walk each property, pull current EPCs, and model a route to EPC C for each one. Output is a one-page-per-property summary. |
|---|---|
| 2. Sequenced plan | Upgrades ranked by impact, cost, grant eligibility, and tenant tenure. Worst-performing properties first. |
| 3. EPC C compliance route | For D-band rentals, our EPC C compliance service can lift the rating without full retrofit — useful when the property doesn't yet need a heat pump. |
| 4. Heat pump installs | Sequenced one property at a time, with £7,500 grant managed end-to-end on each. |
| 5. Tenant communication | Tenant-facing letters drafted on your behalf, scheduled around tenancy gaps where possible. |
| 6. Documentation | Updated EPCs and install records held against each property for your records and future MEES compliance. |
How Thermova differs from a typical installer for landlords
- Portfolio thinking. One review across all your rentals, not one quote per property.
- EPC C compliance service available standalone. Where a heat pump isn't yet sensible, we have a no-result-no-charge route to lift the EPC band.
- Grant route managed. The £7,500 BUS grant is deducted from the invoice on each eligible install.
- Local installer. Same team across the portfolio. We get to know your stock.
Frequently asked questions
Can landlords claim the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant?
Yes, on the same terms as owner-occupiers. The grant attaches to the property, not the occupant. Most rental flats and houses in England and Wales replacing fossil-fuel heating with a heat pump qualify.
Is EPC C mandatory for rentals yet?
Not yet. Current MEES minimum is EPC E. Government has consulted on raising this to C, with original dates of 2025 (new tenancies) and 2028 (existing). Those dates have shifted. The direction of travel has not.
What about Section 21 risk if a property goes non-compliant?
Non-compliance with MEES carries a financial penalty under existing regulations (up to £30,000 per property). The bigger commercial risk is the inability to re-let or renew at the right rent if the EPC blocks it.
Can a heat pump work in a typical rental property?
Yes — the same engineering applies as for owner-occupied. Where the property is poorly insulated or hard to retrofit, we'll tell you up front and propose either an alternative route or a phased plan.
How do you handle tenants during install?
Most landlord installs are scheduled into the gap between tenancies. Where install during tenancy is needed, we work with the tenant on access, agreed work hours, and a clear scope. Most heat pump installs are 2–4 working days.
Can you do the EPC upgrade only, without the heat pump?
Yes. Our EPC C compliance service is standalone — air permeability testing and EPC lift on a no-result-no-charge basis. Useful where a full heat pump retrofit isn't yet the right move.
Explore further
Next step
Get a sequenced upgrade plan for your portfolio
Book a portfolio review. We walk each property, model the route to EPC C, and give you a sequenced plan with grant numbers attached — no obligation.