Upcoming UK Retrofit Rules Landlords Need to Know

There is a lot coming down the track for landlords, housing providers and house builders. Below is a friendly, practical summary of what is changing, why it matters, and what you can do now so budgets, programmes and contracts stay on course.

1) Awaab’s Law timeframes are phasing in

The first phase is now live for social landlords in England, with strict deadlines for investigating and fixing significant damp and mould. Emergencies must be made safe within 24 hours, and further requirements will follow over the next couple of years.

Private rented homes are expected to feel the effects in due course, but timings are not confirmed.

What to do now

• Map a clear end to end process for damp and mould: how you log reports, assess risk, keep residents updated, complete the fix, and store the evidence.

• Fix root causes, not just the symptoms. Align your approach with PAS 2035 so solutions are durable and auditable.

Awaabs Law Landlord Checklist TargetGreen.pdf

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2) PAS 2035:2023 is the new baseline

The transition away from PAS 2035:2019 has finished. New retrofit work should follow PAS 2035:2023. The latest version places more emphasis on ventilation and airtightness strategies, clearer role definitions, and post works evaluation within three months of handover.

If you still have older assessments in progress, speak to your delivery partners about how they will move across.

What to do now

• Update scopes, appointments and quality plans to the 2023 requirements.

• Plan for post evaluation from day one so it is not forgotten at the end.

3) Private rented standards are likely to tighten by 2030

The government consulted this year on raising the minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes by 2030. A final decision has not been published yet, but the direction of travel is towards higher EPC outcomes this decade.

What to do now

• Triage your stock and plan costed routes to EPC C or better that do not increase moisture risk.

• Prioritise fabric and ventilation first, then heating and controls.

4) Heat network zoning is on the way

Using powers in the Energy Act 2023, the government will introduce heat network zones in England. Local areas will be identified where certain buildings may be expected to connect to a heat network.

Early zones are likely to appear from 2025 to 2026.

What to do now

• Check whether any estates or developments you manage could fall within early zones.

• Compare the case for network connection with on site low carbon heat, so you are ready either way.

5) Future Homes Standard for new build

The government plans to publish the Future Homes Standard in 2025, with legislation expected by the end of 2026 and full compliance for all new homes by the end of 2027 after a transition period.

The aim is better fabric performance, verified ventilation, and low carbon heating in all new homes.

What to do now

• Focus design for higher fabric performance and low temperature heating now to avoid redesign later.

• Set clear employer’s requirements that anticipate the standard.

6) Funding windows to plan around

• ECO4 runs to 31 March 2026

• Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) runs to April 2026

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grants are available up to £7,500 until 31 December 2027 in England and Wales

What to do now

• Align surveying, design, installation and post evaluation with scheme rules and end dates.

• Sequence fabric, ventilation and controls before low carbon heat so systems perform as expected.

7) Energy Performance of Buildings reforms

The government has consulted on modernising EPC and building performance data. Changes are expected to how information is assessed, shared and enforced. This will affect landlords, developers and delivery partners once published.

What to do now

• Standardise your evidence packs and data capture across projects so you are ready for tighter requirements.

Quick readiness checklist

• Clear processes and records to meet Awaab’s Law timeframes

• Contracts and QA updated to PAS 2035:2023, including post evaluation within three months

• Portfolio plan to reach higher EPC outcomes by 2030 scenarios

• Heat strategy reviewed against likely heat network zoning

• New build designs tracking Future Homes Standard aims

• Pipelines scheduled to meet ECO4, GBIS and BUS deadlines

How Target Green can help

We are a Leeds based team working nationwide. We design and coordinate fabric first, moisture safe retrofit that lifts EPC ratings, reduces damp and mould, and stands up to compliance checks.