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Dear Landlords,
We're excited to share that there will be over 20 properties opening their doors to showcase the energy efficiency measures they have installed such as insulation, heat pumps and solar panels! The open houses are part of the Oxford Preservation Trust's Open Doors event which will run on the 13th and 14th of September 2025.
The government are considering increasing the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for rental properties from an EPC E to C in the near future meaning that some landlords are likely to need to invest in energy efficiency measures to meet these new standards.
Visiting a house near you to see some of these measures in action is a great way to understand what is available and to understand the benefits.
Benefits to landlords include: reducing maintenance costs and improving housing quality; increasing the desirability of your property and ability to retain tenants by making it healthier, warmer, safer and cheaper to run; reducing damp and mould; increasing property value; and ensuring you are MEES compliant.
Check out the website and interactive map to choose which open house to visit and what measures they have installed.
ENERGY SAVING HOMES OPEN HOUSES
Don't forget you can also get landlord specific information on energy efficiency measures and grant funding from our A House Like Mine project resources and on our web pages www.oxford.gov.uk/retrofit
Changes To How Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Are Calculated
We are writing to you today about a significant update to the way Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are generated for residential properties. As of 15 June 2025, an updated and more accurate methodology, known as RdSAP 10, is now in effect.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that rates the energy efficiency of a property, on a scale of A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It's required when selling or renting a property and it provides information about the property's energy consumption, potential costs, and recommendations for improvement.
 RdSAP, or the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure, is the official methodology used to calculate an existing residential property's energy performance and create its EPC. The previous version, RdSAP 2012, often relied on generalised assumptions based on a property's age and type. This could lead to inaccurate ratings and did not properly account for modern, low-carbon technologies now common in many homes.
The new RdSAP 10 methodology aims to correct these issues by making assessments more precise and evidence-based.
What exactly has changed?
- Assessors must collect more specific data on your property. For example, assessors will now have to measure every window, identify different types of ventilation and gather precise information on heating systems and insulation.
- A key change is that energy efficiency improvements will only be factored into the EPC rating if you can provide evidence of the work (ie. invoices, receipts or manufacturer’s data).
- It properly accounts for modern systems like battery storage and heat pumps
- Improved calculations for heat loss and updated fuel prices and CO2 emissions.
What does this mean for you?
- It will provide landlords with clearer insights into insulation, heating system and overall performance of a property and result in more accurate recommendations for energy efficiency upgrades.
- If you cannot provide evidence for improvements, your property’s EPC rating could be lower than it previously was and could impact your compliance with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
- The increased level of detail required means that on-site assessments will take longer. This may lead to an increase in the cost of obtaining an EPC.
For more information on EPC changes, visit: https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/blog/2025/05/21/rdsap-10-what-it-means-for-homeowners-and-tenants/.
The government are considering raising the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) from and EPC E to C. If your property has an EPC of C or below, consider investing in some energy efficiency upgrades such as improved insulation or an air source heat pump. There are grants available.
Find out more on our web pages www.oxford.gov.uk/retrofit
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