September 2026 is not just another month on the calendar for landlords across Solihull and Birmingham. It marks a pivotal moment – one where the gap between where your property sits today and where the law is heading could cost you significantly if left unaddressed.
The proposed EPC C deadline of 1 October 2030 may feel like a distant concern, but the funding schemes that could help reduce the cost have their own deadlines and eligibility rules. If you own rental property in areas such as Moseley, Selly Oak, Harborne, or Bournville, checking which support is still open is an important first step.
At Martin & Co Solihull, we work with landlords across both Solihull and Birmingham every day. With over 30 years of lettings experience and more than 41,000 properties managed across our national network, we understand how complex compliance can feel. This blog is here to cut through the noise and give you a clear, practical plan.
Where the law stands right now
Under the current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), domestic privately rented properties in England that fall within the regulations must have an EPC rating of at least E, unless a valid exemption is registered. Landlords who let properties rated F or G without a valid exemption already face penalties of up to £5,000 per property.
If your property is currently rated F or G and falls within MEES without a valid exemption, this is not a future problem – it is a present one. Enforcement by local authorities has been increasing, and ignorance of the rating is not a defence.
The proposed EPC C deadline and what it means for landlords
The government’s published plan is for all new and existing domestic private rented tenancies within scope to meet EPC C or equivalent by 1 October 2030, or have a valid exemption, subject to legislation; the planned £10,000 investment cap and reformed EPC standards mean the requirements will not be identical for every property. Alongside this, the planned maximum penalty is up to £30,000 per property, per breach – this is not the current EPC E penalty.
That is a sixfold increase on the current maximum. For landlords managing a portfolio of five, ten, or twenty properties, the financial exposure is substantial.
Why 2030 is closer than you think
Upgrading a property to EPC C is rarely a quick fix. Depending on the current rating and construction type, works can include solid wall insulation, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, double glazing upgrades, or a new heating system. Each of these requires surveys, contractor availability, and in some cases, planning considerations.
Starting the process now – particularly while grants are still available – is the difference between a manageable project and a costly, last-minute scramble.
The funding landscape: what is available and what is closing
The routes below include schemes that remain open and ECO4 routes now closed to new applicants in Birmingham, so check current availability before planning works.
ECO4 – end date 31 December 2026
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme has supported insulation and heating upgrades for eligible properties, with funding determined by energy suppliers rather than guaranteed. For landlords with older stock in south Birmingham – particularly Victorian and Edwardian terraced homes common across B13 (Moseley), B29 (Selly Oak), B17 (Harborne), and B30 (Bournville and Cotteridge) – the scheme has helped fund works, but it should not now be treated as an open application route through Birmingham City Council.
Eligibility is linked to the property’s EPC rating and the tenant’s household income or benefits status. Although ECO4 formally ends on 31 December 2026, Birmingham City Council says its partners can no longer secure funding for installations for new applicants; the extension is for outstanding remedial work and existing supplier targets.
ECO4 Flex via Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council’s ECO4 Flex route broadened household eligibility beyond the standard benefits-based criteria, but its partners are no longer able to fund installations for new applicants. Landlords with properties in lower-income areas of the city should now check the Warm Homes Local Grant or other support instead of assuming ECO4 Flex is available.
For landlords with older stock in south and central Birmingham postcodes, the practical next step is to check the council’s current funding routes and household eligibility rules.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme – up to £9,000 toward a heat pump
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers £7,500 toward an eligible air-to-water or ground source heat pump replacing a gas boiler, rising to £9,000 for eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating; air-to-air heat pumps have a separate £2,500 grant. This scheme is available to landlords and can make a significant contribution to the cost of replacing an ageing gas boiler.
Heat pump installations can also deliver a meaningful EPC rating uplift, making this a strategically important option for properties that are currently rated D or lower.
Warm Homes Local Grant – available until March 2028
The Warm Homes Local Grant can fund insulation and low-carbon heating upgrades for eligible properties with qualifying low-income tenants, fully funding one property per landlord within scheme limits and requiring a 50% landlord contribution for subsequent properties; F- or G-rated rentals must have a registered MEES exemption. This scheme runs until March 2028, giving landlords a slightly longer window – but it still requires early action to ensure surveys, approvals, and installations are completed in time.
Which Solihull and Birmingham postcodes carry the highest risk
Not all postcodes are equal when it comes to EPC upgrade burden. Understanding where your property sits geographically – and what that means for likely works required – is the starting point for any action plan.
Higher-risk Birmingham postcodes
The Victorian and Edwardian terraced stock that dominates south Birmingham is the most likely to fall below EPC C. Properties in B13 (Moseley and Billesley), B29 (Selly Oak and Weoley Castle), B17 (Harborne), and B30 (Bournville and Cotteridge) frequently present with solid or unfilled cavity walls, single-glazed windows, and ageing boilers – all of which drag ratings down.
For these postcodes, check the property and tenant’s eligibility for funding that remains open, rather than assuming ECO4 or ECO4 Flex is still available.
Solihull postcodes: a mixed picture
Within the Solihull patch, the picture is more varied. B92 (Olton and Elmdon) and B37 (Chelmsley Wood and Marston Green) contain older semi-detached stock that may require meaningful upgrades to reach EPC C. Landlords with properties in these areas should not assume compliance without checking.
B90 (Shirley) benefits from a higher proportion of newer-build stock, which is more likely to already meet or be close to the EPC C standard. However, older properties in Shirley – particularly those built pre-1980 – should still be assessed.
A practical action plan for landlords
Step 1: check your current EPC rating
An EPC is generally required when a home in England is marketed for sale or let, subject to exemptions. You can check your property’s current rating on the government’s EPC register at gov.uk. If your certificate is more than ten years old, commission a new assessment before marketing the property again, where required – expiry alone does not require renewal during an unchanged ongoing tenancy.
Step 2: identify the gap and the works required
An EPC assessor will outline the recommended improvements and the rating uplift each measure would deliver. This gives you a clear picture of what is required and in what order to prioritise works.
Step 3: check which funding routes remain open
For Birmingham properties, check Warm Homes Local Grant eligibility and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme first, as the council’s ECO4 partners can no longer fund installations for new applicants. Applications and surveys take time, so confirm approval and any required landlord contribution before arranging works.
Step 4: consider the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heating upgrades
If your property requires a new heating system, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost. Speak to a registered installer to assess suitability – not all properties are suitable for heat pumps, and the assessment is an important first step.
Step 5: plan for remaining works within your own budget
Where grant funding does not cover all required improvements, factor the remaining works into your property investment plan. Planning eligible works within the proposed investment cap can help avoid exposure to a future penalty of up to £30,000 per property, per breach – and an energy-efficient property is increasingly attractive to quality tenants.
How Martin & Co Solihull supports landlords through compliance
Compliance is not an afterthought at Martin & Co – it is central to everything we do. Our team at Martin & Co Solihull works with landlords across both Solihull and Birmingham, helping them navigate the full range of lettings legislation with confidence.
Whether you manage a single property in Harborne or a portfolio spread across Solihull, Moseley, and Selly Oak, we provide the expertise, the local knowledge, and the ongoing support to keep your investment protected and your tenancies legally compliant.
We let 370 new properties every week across our network and manage more than 41,000 properties nationally – so when we say we understand the lettings landscape, that is backed by three decades of experience and thousands of landlord relationships.
Do not wait for the deadline to act
The government is planning for an EPC C or equivalent deadline of October 2030, subject to legislation. The question is whether you arrive at it prepared – with compliant, energy-efficient properties and rental income intact – or facing a costly rush to upgrade without the grant support that is available today.
The ECO4 scheme formally ends on 31 December 2026, but that does not mean new funding is available through Birmingham’s closed route. Check the schemes still open now, as applying, surveying, and completing works takes time.
The team at Martin & Co Solihull is here to help you make sense of your obligations, understand your options, and take the right steps at the right time – without any fuss.
Get in touch with your local Martin & Co Solihull team today to discuss your portfolio and find out how we can support your compliance journey. You can also book a free, no-obligation rental valuation to understand the current market value of your property and how energy efficiency improvements could strengthen your rental yield.
