A survey suggests that landlords want to improve the energy efficiency of their properties as soon as possible – despite a government U-turn on the subject.

Buy to let lender Landbay claims that its study of landlords shows that those with properties with an EPC rating of D or below plan to make changes to reach at least a C, with many aiming to do this as soon as possible.

The findings from Landbay’s quarterly survey found that almost two thirds of landlords (65 per cernt) have properties rated D, E, F or G. However, 34 per cent plan to make improvements to reach C as soon as they can. 

More than a third (39 per cent) shared the same intention, but planned to wait until nearer 2028 and the government’s current official  deadline. 

This contrasts with a previous survey conducted by Landbay in summer 2022 when it was less than a third that planned more immediate action to increase EPC ratings. 

Landbay says awareness of the government’s official proposal has remained consistent, with 78 per cent of landlords aware of the plans in the latest survey.

It was under two weeks ago that Housing Secretary Michael Gove pledged to publish a revised timetables for the implementation of further energy efficiency targets for the private rental sector.

Gove claimed in a newspaper interview that the official timetable for EPC targets for landlords should be relaxed. 

The Housing Secretary said in the article that his government was “asking too much too quickly” of landlords, after proposing a deadline of 2028 for new EPC regulations. 

A month ago a separate Landbay survey appeared to suggest that over 40 per cent of landlords wanted to expand their portfolios in the next year – at a time when other studies of the private rental sector showed large numbers of landlords either exiting completely or selling at least some of their investment.

The July survey claimed 41 per cent of landlords planned to buy more property in the next year with one of the biggest justifications being high tenant demand. A third of respondents said a potential drop in house prices was also a reason.

Paul Brett, Landbay’s managing director intermediaries, says of his company’s latest survey: “It’s very encouraging to see the majority of landlords with lower rated properties planning to make improvements, especially the strong proportion pledging to as soon as they can. If Gove does get his way, it will be interesting to see how these results change – if at all.”