How to Improve Your EPC Rating to C in Kent – A Practical Guide for Landlords

With the requirement for rental properties to reach EPC C by 2030, many landlords across Kent are now asking the same question:

What do I actually need to do to get my property from where it is now to a C rating — without wasting money?

This guide is written from the perspective of a local EPC assessor working across Canterbury, Whitstable, Ashford, Deal, Dover and Thanet, and focuses on a practical, property-specific approach rather than generic advice.

If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of the legal rules, see our separate guide; Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) – Landlord Guidance

If you want a broader overview of EPC scoring factors, this article explains them in detail; Maximising Your EPC Rating

This guide focuses on how landlords in Kent can realistically plan their route to EPC C.

Why EPC C isn’t the same for every property

Kent’s rental housing stock is varied. We regularly assess:

• Victorian terraces in Canterbury and Ramsgate
• 1930s semis in Whitstable and Herne Bay
• Flats and HMOs in Dover and Folkestone
• Newer rental homes around Ashford and Thanet

Because EPC ratings are based on modelled energy costs, not just insulation thickness or boiler age, the same upgrade can have very different results depending on the property.

This is why there’s no single checklist that guarantees an EPC C.

The mistake many landlords make

A common approach we see is landlords being told to:

• “Just change the boiler”
• “Add solar panels”
• “Install a heat pump”

Without checking whether those upgrades will actually move the EPC rating.

In some cases, expensive improvements result in little or no EPC gain, because the measures weren’t prioritised correctly.

Our approach: draft EPCs and tailored guidance

Instead of guessing, our approach is to model the outcome first.

We do this by producing a draft EPC, which allows us to:

• Test different improvement combinations
• See which measures genuinely raise the EPC score
• Identify the most cost-effective route to EPC C

Draft EPCs for landlords in Kent

This approach is especially useful for:

• Properties currently rated D or E
• Older or harder-to-treat homes
• Landlords with multiple properties
• Planning upgrades over several years before 2030

Typical improvements that help reach EPC C (Kent properties)

While every property is different, the following measures commonly improve EPC ratings when correctly applied:

1. Heating system efficiency

Older boilers are still common in Kent rentals. Upgrading to a modern, efficient system can help — but only when combined with appropriate controls.

2. Insulation upgrades

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation (where suitable)
• Floor insulation in some ground-floor properties

Insulation often provides some of the most reliable EPC gains, especially in older homes.

3. Heating controls

Simple improvements like:

• Programmable thermostats
• TRVs
• Smart controls

can make a measurable difference to EPC scoring at relatively low cost.

4. Lighting

Upgrading to low-energy lighting throughout the property is usually straightforward and contributes incremental EPC improvements.

5. Solar panels (where appropriate)

Solar PV can significantly improve EPC ratings in the right circumstances — particularly for electrically heated properties — but roof suitability and orientation matter.

Why timing matters for landlords

Although the EPC C deadline is 2030, waiting carries risks:

• Installer demand may increase closer to the deadline
• Costs may rise
• Some upgrades require tenant cooperation
• Non-compliant properties may become harder to let

From our experience across Kent, landlords who plan early have more options and better outcomes.

Start with clarity, not guesswork

If you’re a landlord in Kent, the most effective first step isn’t installing anything — it’s understanding your starting point.

A current EPC, combined with a draft EPC model, gives you:

• A clear picture of where the property stands
• A realistic pathway to EPC C
• Confidence that any upgrades will actually count

Book a landlord EPC assessment in Kent
Draft EPCs – tailored EPC improvement planning

Final word

Improving an EPC rating to C doesn’t need to be rushed or expensive — but it does need to be planned properly.

From our perspective as a local Kent EPC assessor, the landlords who get the best results are those who take a measured, informed approach based on real data, not assumptions.

That’s exactly what EPCs — and draft EPCs in particular — are designed to support.