If you let property in Manchester, Salford or the wider North West, you have probably seen the headlines about EPC C. Some say it is coming in, some say it has been scrapped. This guide sets out what the rules say today, what the government intends, and where solar panels fit in.
One caution first. This policy has changed direction more than once and the detail is still being finalised, so treat this as the position at the date of writing and check current gov.uk guidance before making decisions about a rental property.
What the rules require today
For privately rented homes in England and Wales, the minimum energy efficiency standard currently in force is an EPC rating of E. In general, landlords cannot let or continue to let a property below that rating unless a valid exemption is registered. Exemptions are specific and time-limited.
If your property has a valid EPC at E or above, you meet the current minimum. The question is what comes next.
What the government has said it intends to do
In January 2026, the government published its response to a consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes. Under the government’s current proposals, the minimum standard for private rented homes in England and Wales would rise to the equivalent of EPC C, with a single compliance date of 1 October 2030 for all tenancies. Until then, the existing minimum of E would continue to apply.
The government has also set out how it intends to get there. All of the following are stated intentions, not law:
- New legislation is needed. The government has said it will seek new powers through an Act of Parliament, and then aim to bring forward regulations with the intention that they come into force in 2027. The changes are expressly subject to Parliamentary approval.
- A different way of measuring. The plan relies on new-style EPCs, which would replace the single A to G rating with several separate scores. Under the proposal, a rented home would need to meet a primary standard on fabric performance (broadly, how well the building holds heat, such as insulation and windows) and a secondary standard on either smart readiness or the heating system, chosen by the landlord.
- A cap on what landlords must spend. The government proposes a maximum amount a landlord would be required to invest per property, with a time-limited exemption available if the standard still cannot be met within that cap.
- Stronger enforcement. Higher penalties for non-compliance are proposed, enforced by local authorities.
- Early action is recognised. A property that achieves a C on the current-style EPC rating before 1 October 2029 would be treated as compliant until that EPC expires.
The new-style EPCs themselves have also been delayed. In March 2026 the government announced that their launch had moved to the second half of 2027, and the 2030 date was not changed by that announcement. At the time of writing we have not seen confirmation on gov.uk that the new regulations have been made, so the safest reading is that EPC C for rentals is a confirmed government policy intention, with the legal detail still to come.
How solar panels affect an EPC
EPCs for existing homes are produced using a government-approved calculation method, the Standard Assessment Procedure and its reduced-data version for existing dwellings. In simple terms, the method estimates the energy a home needs and what it would cost, and a rooftop solar PV system is credited because it generates electricity on site. The assessor takes into account things like the size of the system, the direction and pitch of the panels, and any shading. The method also assumes that only part of the electricity generated is used in the home, with the remainder exported, so solar helps the rating but is not a magic fix on its own.
In practice, that means solar PV can improve the energy efficiency rating on the EPC as it works today. How much it helps depends on the property, the system and the starting point, so we would not want to promise a specific result for any home. Two practical points. The rating only changes when a new EPC is commissioned after the installation, and it helps to keep the installation paperwork to hand so your assessor can record the system accurately.
It is worth being clear about the proposed new system too. Under the government’s consultation material, solar panels would count towards the smart readiness score, which rewards things like on-site generation, how much of it is used in the building, and battery storage, but would not count towards the fabric performance score. Because the proposal makes fabric the primary standard, solar alone would not be expected to satisfy the proposed requirement in every home. For many rented properties, the sensible picture is a mix of fabric improvements where needed plus solar, and possibly storage, where the roof allows.
Why this matters for rental value and void periods
An EPC is only one factor in how a rental property performs, but it is a visible one. A better-rated home is generally easier to market, tends to be cheaper for tenants to run, and may be more attractive to tenants who are watching their bills. Lower running costs can support tenant retention, and fewer changes of tenant generally means fewer voids.
There is also a planning argument. If the proposed standard does arrive, a property that has already been improved should be in a stronger position than one needing urgent work at short notice.
Solar will not suit every rental. Flats, shared roofs, listed or conservation area properties and heavily shaded roofs all need careful thought, and freeholder or leaseholder consent may be needed. That is exactly why a proper survey comes before any recommendation.
How Green Sky Renewables approaches landlord projects
We are an MCS-certified solar installer based in Salford, working across Manchester and the North West. Our certifications are MCS 00079201 and NAPIT 71877, and we are members of RECC and TrustMark.
Our approach is survey first. We look at the roof, the electrics, any shading and how the property is used, and we tell you honestly whether solar makes sense, rather than starting from a standard package. You can read more about our solar PV installation service and how we work with residential properties.
Next steps
1. Check your current EPC. Find out the rating, the date, and the recommendations on each rental property. 2. Check the latest guidance on gov.uk. The position is still developing, and what you read here is a summary at the date of writing, not legal advice. 3. Talk to us about a survey. If solar might suit one or more of your properties, get in touch and we will arrange a survey. 4. Want a quick starting point? Try our instant solar quote for an initial idea, then we can confirm the detail after surveying the property.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Please speak to a qualified adviser about your own circumstances.