October 2030 may sound a long way away, but landlords in Knowle and the wider B93 area already have good reasons to start planning.
The government has confirmed its intention to introduce a higher energy-efficiency standard for privately rented homes from 1 October 2030.
Importantly, this is not simply a requirement for every landlord to achieve today’s EPC Band C. The planned standard will use reformed EPC metrics, and the necessary legislation still needs to be completed.
For landlords with older properties in Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath, early planning provides time to understand the building, identify suitable improvements and budget appropriately.
Why Knowle’s housing stock needs careful planning
Knowle and the surrounding B93 area contain a mixture of period cottages, Victorian and Edwardian homes, inter-war properties and more modern housing.
An improvement that works for a modern cavity-wall property may not be suitable for a traditional solid-wall building.
Older properties can also have different insulation, ventilation and heating requirements.
Rather than assuming an older property is automatically EPC D or below, check its current certificate on the official EPC register and use the actual assessment as your starting point.
What the 2030 standard actually means
The government has confirmed a planned compliance date of 1 October 2030 for new and existing private tenancies.
The future system is expected to use a dual-metric approach. Properties will need to meet a fabric-performance standard and then either a heating-system or smart-readiness standard.
There is also a planned £10,000 cost cap per property.
If qualifying improvements up to the applicable cap have been completed and the property still cannot meet the required standard, an exemption is planned to be available.
These are features of the future framework. Landlords should continue to follow the legal requirements currently in force while preparing for the 2030 changes.
Which improvements should Knowle landlords consider?
There is no single package that will be right for every B93 property. The starting point should always be the building itself.
Loft insulation
Where a property has insufficient loft insulation, upgrading it can be a relatively straightforward way to reduce heat loss.
However, landlords should not assume that insulation will automatically improve an EPC by one or two bands. The result depends on the individual property and assessment.
Wall insulation
Some inter-war and later properties may have cavity walls suitable for insulation.
Traditional solid-wall homes require a different approach. Internal or external wall insulation can be more complicated and should be carefully designed to avoid moisture and ventilation problems.
Windows
Older properties may still have single glazing or windows with poor thermal performance.
Replacement glazing can improve comfort and reduce heat loss, but condition, ventilation, cost and planning restrictions should all be considered first.
Heating systems
Modern heating systems and controls can form part of an energy-improvement plan.
Heat pumps may be suitable for some properties, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently provides support for eligible installations.
But insulation, heat loss, radiators, hot-water requirements and electrical capacity should be considered before replacing the heating system.
The conservation area consideration
Parts of Knowle are within a conservation area.
That can affect alterations such as replacement windows, external wall insulation and other changes to the appearance of a property.
Being in a conservation area does not necessarily prevent energy improvements, but landlords should check the exact property’s planning position with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council before committing to significant external work.
If the property is listed, additional restrictions can apply.
How to build your EPC plan
A sensible approach is to work property by property.
Step one: check the current EPC
Find the property’s current certificate on the official EPC register. Check its rating, expiry date and recommended improvements.
If significant work has been completed since the assessment, consider whether an updated EPC would provide a more accurate picture.
Step two: check the condition
Before installing insulation or replacing heating, identify existing problems such as damp, water ingress, defective gutters and poor ventilation.
Improving energy efficiency without addressing these issues first can create additional problems.
Step three: prioritise improvements
Start with improvements appropriate to the individual building.
That might include repairs, insulation, ventilation improvements, heating controls or other measures recommended for the property. Traditional buildings may require specialist advice.
Step four: check funding
Funding schemes change regularly.
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026, so landlords should not rely on it for new applications.
Other support may still be available depending on the property and work proposed, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for eligible low-carbon heating installations.
Always confirm eligibility before including grant funding in your budget.
Step five: allow enough time
Larger projects can involve surveys, quotations, contractor availability and planning permission.
Starting early gives landlords time to compare options rather than rushing work immediately before the 2030 deadline.
Budget for the individual property
Avoid assuming every retrofit will cost the same.
A traditional solid-wall property requiring substantial work could have a very different cost profile from a more modern property needing relatively straightforward improvements.
Obtain several detailed quotations for significant work and understand exactly what each includes.
Remember that gross improvement costs are only one consideration. Landlords may also need to budget for surveys, planning, redecoration, ventilation and other associated work.
Don’t forget ventilation and damp
Improving energy efficiency is not simply about making a property more airtight. Homes still require appropriate ventilation.
Kitchens, bathrooms and rooms where clothes are dried generate moisture, so extract ventilation and other measures may need to form part of the improvement plan.
Damp and condensation should not automatically be blamed on tenant behaviour.
The building fabric, heating and ventilation should be considered together, and existing repair responsibilities continue to apply regardless of future EPC changes.
Keep evidence of improvements
Documentation will become increasingly important as the future standard approaches. Keep:
- Current and previous EPCs.
- Invoices.
- Product specifications.
- Installation certificates.
- Photographs.
- Planning permissions where required.
- Grant documentation.
- Evidence supporting any exemption.
If you manage several properties, keeping a simple improvement plan for each one can make portfolio planning considerably easier.
Don’t assume a better EPC guarantees higher rent
Energy efficiency can be useful when marketing a rental property, but landlords should not assume an improved EPC automatically means higher rent, better tenants or a faster let.
Rental performance also depends on location, condition, specification, affordability and competing properties.
An energy upgrade should therefore be considered in terms of compliance, property performance, tenant comfort and the overall condition of the home.
What about penalties?
The government intends the future maximum financial penalty for non-compliance with the new PRS energy-efficiency regulations to be £30,000 per property per breach.
This is different from the £40,000 maximum associated with certain other housing offences.
Until the future legislation is completed and commenced, landlords should follow the current minimum energy-efficiency requirements while preparing sensibly for 2030.
What Knowle landlords should do now
There is no need to leave planning until 2029. For each rental property:
- Check the current EPC.
- Inspect condition, moisture and ventilation.
- Identify appropriate improvements.
- Obtain property-specific quotations.
- Check planning restrictions.
- Confirm available funding.
- Keep evidence of completed work.
- Monitor future government legislation.
For portfolios across Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath, prioritise properties requiring the most attention rather than trying to upgrade everything at once.
Let Hunters Knowle help you plan ahead
The planned 1 October 2030 standard gives landlords time to assess their properties and make informed decisions.
The right approach is not necessarily the one involving the most improvements. It is the one that matches the building, protects the tenant and remains aligned with the regulations as they develop.
Hunters Knowle works with landlords across B93, including Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath.
If you’re unsure where your rental property currently stands, start with the evidence: check the EPC, understand the building and identify what work may genuinely be required.
Book a free rental property valuation to get a current view of your property’s rental position.
Or get in touch with the Hunters Knowle team to discuss your property and management options.
Here to get you there.
