Government: EPC Targets Not Sole Cause of Rent Increases
UK Property News

Government: EPC Targets Not Sole Cause of Rent Increases

By Jordan Hale, Senior Lettings Editor · 1 July 2026 · 1 min read

Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.

Government Responds to EPC Target Concerns

The government has stated that proposed Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) targets are not the only factor influencing rent increases in the private rented sector. This clarification comes after scrutiny over whether new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) could be contributing to rising rents.

Green MP Hannah Spencer raised a written parliamentary question, asking what assessment the government has made regarding the impact of new MEES in the private rented sector on private rent inflation. In response, the government claimed that rent prices are affected by a range of factors, not solely by the proposed EPC targets.

This development is relevant for UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as ongoing discussions about EPC requirements and MEES continue to shape the regulatory landscape for private landlords and tenants. The government's position suggests that while energy efficiency standards are under review, they are not being singled out as the main driver of rent increases.


Source: Property118
About the author
Jordan Hale
Senior Lettings Editor

Jordan Hale leads The Property AI's lettings coverage with a focus on UK rental legislation, agent compliance, and the day-to-day pressures facing letting agents. Articles bylined Jordan Hale combine current trade reporting with practical guidance for letting agents and inventory…

Specialises in: Renters' Rights Act, EPC regulations, tenancy deposit schemes, agent licensing, Right to Rent compliance.

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