Social rented homes to reach EPC C by 1st April 2030
On 2nd July 2025, the Government published two consultations proposing an introduction of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for the Social Rented Sector in England & Wales, plus a further Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes.
On Wednesday 28th January 2026 the Government published their response to both Consultations setting out the introduction for MEES in the Social Rented Sector in England and Wales. Alongside this, a plan to reform the Decent Homes standard for both social and privately rented homes was also release.
Elmhurst take a look at the key points and what this could mean for Elmhurst members and businesses.
What did the Consultations cover?
SRS MEES
Socially rented homes are not currently required to meet a minimum EPC standard, and according to the government, current requirements are roughly equivalent to an EPC ‘F’ rating. The government’s preferred outcome of this consultation is to set a new standard for social landlords to get to EPC C or equivalent by 1st April 2030. The consultation covered the use of new EPC metrics, a Fabric first approach and a proposed cost cap of £10,000. This aligns with what has already been proposed within the domestic private rented sector.
Decent Homes Standard
The proposed MEES would form part of the Decent Homes Standard. The consultation covered a number of reforms including the removal of age from the definition of disrepair, updates to the thresholds used to define disrepair, damp and mould considerations, along with the proposed implementation date.
What is the Government’s Response to the Consultation?
Based on the published outcome by Government, the following has been confirmed:
SRS MEES
The Government has now set out how MEES is intended to work for the Social Rented Sector (England and Wales). In summary:
- By 1st April 2030, all new and existing social rented homes will need to reach EPC C (or an equivalent standard), unless a valid exemption is registered.
- Under the reformed EPC, homes will be able to demonstrate compliance by meeting EPC C against any one of the new metrics: fabric performance, smart readiness, or heating system.
- The previous fabric-first approach has been dropped. Instead, social landlords can choose the metric that best suits their stock, focusing on what will deliver the greatest benefit for tenants.
- From 1 April 2039, landlords will also be expected to meet EPC C against a second metric, unless a valid exemption applies.
- If a property already has a valid EPC rated C, it will be treated as compliant until that certificate expires.
- A time-limited spend exemption will apply where social landlords would only be required to spend up to £10,000 per property by 1 April 2030. If the home still can’t reach the standard after that spend, compliance can be deferred for a further 10 years from 2030, though providers can choose to invest more.
Decent Homes Standard
The Government has confirmed updates to the Decent Homes Standard criteria, strengthening the requirements (A–D) and introducing a new criterion focused on damp and mould (Criterion E) to support long-term improvements in housing quality.
Homes must be free from Category 1 hazards, assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
A home will fail if one or more key building components are not in a reasonable state of repair, or if two or more other components are not. The policy statement also makes clear that kitchens and bathrooms are now treated as “key components” under this criterion.
For flats, homes must provide at least 3 of 4: a suitable kitchen, appropriately located bathroom/WC, adequate external noise insulation (where needed), and suitable communal entrance areas. For houses, at least 2 of 3: kitchen, appropriately located bathroom/WC, and adequate external noise insulation (where needed). Homes must also have child-resistant window restrictors on windows that present a fall risk.
Thermal comfort remains a core requirement and explicitly includes meeting Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) as part of the new DHS framework.
Homes will be non-decent if damp and mould hasn’t been remedied, and landlords are expected to take both a reactive and proactive approach to prevention. In HHSRS terms, Criterion E is failed if damp and mould is assessed in bands A–H.
How this links to Awaab’s Law: Criterion E is in addition to Awaab’s Law. The policy statement explains that Awaab’s Law provides a mechanism for social tenants to secure repairs where an emergency hazard poses an imminent risk, or where damp and mould presents a significant risk—while meeting Criterion E should help prevent issues escalating to that point. It also states the Government is committed to extending Awaab’s Law to the PRS and will consult on the detail.
Other confirmed changes to the Decent Homes Standard include:
- The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will increase security and stability for renters, including ending Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions from 1 May 2026.
- While DHS compliance is already regulated in the social rented sector, it will also be enforced in the private rented sector, led by local authority enforcement teams.
- The reformed DHS is expected to apply from 2035 across both sectors, giving landlords time to deliver other regulatory changes, including Awaab’s Law and MEES.
- The Government has said further guidance will be published in the coming months.
Elmhurst Thoughts
Caroline Postles, Existing Dwellings Technical Team Manager shares her thoughts on these outcomes:
“Elmhurst welcomes the direction of travel set out in the Government’s response. It’s encouraging to see the Social Rented Sector moving more closely in line with the Private Rented Sector, while still taking a pragmatic approach that gives landlords the time and flexibility needed to plan and deliver improvements.
That said, the proposed use of new EPC metrics, particularly how compliance can be demonstrated, risks causing confusion, not least because it differs in key ways from how PRS MEES is expected to be introduced.
Clear, timely guidance will be essential so landlords, assessors and the wider supply chain understand what’s changing and how to evidence compliance in practice. Elmhurst are committed to supporting our members throughout these changes through continued support, resources ad training.
We’re also pleased to see the reformed Decent Homes Standard, including the introduction of Criterion E on damp and mould, strengthening expectations around healthier homes. Taken together, these policies have the potential to raise standards across a significant portion of the housing stock, making homes safer, more affordable to heat, and more comfortable for tenants.”
Read the Government responses in full
Click the below links to read the outcome sin full, including full detail on the updated DHS criterion
Read Social Rented MEES Consultation Outcome > Read Decent Homes Standard Consultation Outcome >