Ultimate guide to having an eco-friendly property

With rising energy costs and growing tenant demand for sustainable homes, it’s no surprise that more landlords are choosing to make their properties eco-friendly. But going green comes with its own set of challenges, from new regulations to managing tenant expectations around energy efficiency and wellbeing.

Whether you’re a seasoned landlord looking to upgrade your portfolio or preparing your first eco-conscious rental, this guide will help you navigate the changing landscape. The world is getting greener, and the UK has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, meaning it will only take as much planet-warming gases, such as carbon dioxide, out of the atmosphere as it puts in. By 2050, we are legally required to have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels.

The Government's plan for change

A new system for assessing EPCs, the energy performance of homes, has been in place since 15 June 2025. RdSAP 10 replaces RdSAP and stands for Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure. It focuses on how properties retain heat rather than how much energy a property uses. The main outcomes of RdSAP 10 are:

• To show compliance of new homes with Part L of the Building Regulations
• To generate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which can be used by occupants, prospective buyers, and landlords to know the energy performance of a property

The Government aims to improve the reliability and validity of the assessment process used to determine EPC ratings for buildings, so it has developed a much more rigorous assessment procedure. Unfortunately for landlords, this will increase the cost of assessments. Energy assessors will now consider a range of new measurements including:

• Checking the thermal performance of a building’s envelope, paying close attention to wall thickness, door and window areas, and chimneys
• Looking at the efficiency and environmental impact of a building’s heating source, considering the manufacturer’s information rather than assumptions
• Assessing a building’s potential to integrate smart technologies that can optimise energy consumption

Energy efficiency regulations

The Government is proposing to increase the minimum EPC requirement for rentals in England and Wales from an E rating to a C rating. This would apply to new tenancies from 2028 and all existing tenancies from 2030. The main goal is to make homes more energy efficient and reduce the country’s overall carbon emissions.

How to make rented properties more energy efficient and eco-friendly

The newer a property is, the more energy efficient and eco-friendly it’s likely to be. On the other hand, the older a property is, the more work you’re going to have to do to bring it up to the required minimum standard and the more challenging eco-improvements could be.

Around 56% of private rented housing stock in the UK was built before 1965, and almost a third of it before 1920. Many of these are Victorian and Edwardian terraced and semi-detached homes, which can be notoriously inefficient.

Draughty doors, single-glazed windows and old roofs with little insulation often lead to high energy bills and have an increased impact on the environment, all of which are reasons why tenants choose more modern properties over older ones.

Although it can be a little trickier to retro-fit older properties due to the limitations of the property construction and layout (not to mention some of the building materials), there are plenty of things that landlords can do to make them more energy efficient and appeal to eco-friendly tenants.

You might not be able to transform a Victorian semi into a top eco home within budget, but you can dramatically improve the energy efficiency of the entire building through proper insulation, installing double glazing throughout and opting for modern fittings.

To find out more and make sure your properties are covered, call us to discuss your insurance needs on 0203 907 1779 or get your landlord insurance quote online.

Five steps you can take to make any property more energy efficient:

1. Resolving damp issues

Damp is common in older properties. If left unaddressed, it can cause mould, which harms tenants’ health and damages their home and belongings. Damp walls also conduct heat away, making rooms colder.

Rising damp usually appears at the bottom of ground-floor walls. You'll need a specialist to assess it and may need to install an updated damp-proof course. Costs vary depending on the job size but typically average around £2,000.

Landlords are responsible for dealing with damp and mould, regardless of the cause. The Renters’ Rights Bill and Awaab’s Law, which will extend to the private rented sector, set strict legal timeframes within which landlords must investigate and fix serious health hazards such as damp and mould. This legislation was prompted by the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak due to mould exposure. It comes into effect on 27 October 2025 and requires landlords to respond to emergency hazards within 24 hours and significant hazards within 10 working days.

2. Making the property airtight

The more ways warm air escapes, the less energy efficient a property becomes. Older homes often have drafts through:

• Gaps around windows and doors
• Gaps in floorboards
• Original breathable plaster walls
• Chimneys
• Old slate roofs

Air movement can make a property feel colder than it is, causing tenants to heat the home for longer. Draughty properties are a lose-lose for energy efficiency.

Aim to install double glazing, properly seal doorways and windows, and consider carpeting or replacing older wooden floors.

3. Insulating the loft, walls and floors

Around 20% of a home’s heat is lost through its roof and another 10% through the floor, so draught proofing and insulation are essential to keep heat in.

Modern insulation can be installed under the floor and in the roof or loft (depending on the amount of space and access you have). For properties with cavity walls, insulation can also be installed in the gap between external walls.

4. Choosing eco fixtures and appliances

Once you've got the main fabric of the property dry, airtight, insulated and well-heated, you’re most of the way there. However, the fixtures and appliances that you install can have a big impact on your tenants’ energy usage and the quality of tenant you attract.

Manufacturers have invested in making dishwashers, washing machines, fridges and freezers much more energy efficient. So, upgrading your white goods to ones with a good eco-rating should help your tenants bring down their energy usage.

In the bathroom, modern ‘low flush’ toilets, especially those with dual flush options, can bring water usage down by as much as 50%. Similarly, installing an eco-shower head can reduce the amount of water you use by 20%. Making your rental property more energy efficient requires time and investment, but it’s necessary to comply with the law and increasingly important to ensure it lets well.

5. Gardens and allotments

With growing interest in eco-friendly lifestyles, demand is increasing for properties with gardens or outdoor spaces. 

If your property has a garden, you can make it more eco-friendly and sustainable by creating a wildflower area for bees and butterflies, planting some fruit trees and giving tenants a bed where they can grow their own herbs and vegetables.

If there is only a small patio or balcony, put out some potted plants and shrubs and tell prospective tenants that you’ll be happy to provide them with planters/troughs if they’d like to grow some produce.

Final thoughts: Support your tenants and protect your investment

Making your rental property eco-friendly isn’t just about meeting regulations, it’s about creating a healthier, more comfortable home that tenants want to stay in. Energy efficiency upgrades and sustainable practices help reduce bills, improve wellbeing, and make your property stand out in a competitive market.

While going green brings clear benefits, it also means new responsibilities, like addressing damp promptly and staying on top of evolving EPC requirements. To protect your investment and keep your tenants happy, it’s essential to have the right landlord insurance that understands the unique risks and rewards of eco-friendly properties.

To navigate these changes successfully, landlords should stay informed with up to date guidance from trusted sources such as the NRLA and LandlordZONE. Now more than ever, a proactive, informed approach combined with clear communication and the right insurance will help you thrive in the evolving rental market.

Get a quote from Total Landlord today and protect your green property with confidence or call us on 0203 907 1779 to discuss your insurance needs.