EPC Improvements in Birmingham & Solihull

Energy Performance Certificates are no longer just a box to tick when selling or letting a property. With regulatory changes approaching and a growing range of funded schemes available across the West Midlands, understanding your EPC rating — and what you can do to improve it — has become genuinely important, whether you own one property or several.

Here is a clear picture of where Birmingham and Solihull currently stand, what help is available, and what landlords and homeowners should be thinking about now.

Where Birmingham and Solihull Stand on EPC Ratings

Birmingham

Birmingham has around 423,460 residential homes, and the picture is mixed. The most common domestic EPC band across the city is D, with just 45% of homes currently rated C or above. The average energy-efficiency score sits at 66 out of 100 — just below the 69-point threshold for Band C.

That gap is not insurmountable. The average Birmingham home could raise its score by roughly 15 points, and 67% of homes could improve by 10 points or more with the right upgrades. In terms of carbon output, the average property emits around 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

The city’s housing stock gives some useful context:

• 82% of homes are heated by mains gas
• 72% have insulated cavity walls
• 91% are fully double-glazed or better
• 62% are houses; 33% are flats

For the private rented sector specifically, around 55% of privately rented properties in Birmingham currently fall below EPC C — close to the national average, and a figure that carries real weight given the regulatory direction of travel.

Solihull

Solihull’s rental market faces a similar challenge. Around 775 rental properties in the area currently sit below EPC C — approximately 30% of all rental stock — and the average SAP score for poorly rated properties is just 63.1, making the jump to Band C harder to achieve without meaningful investment.

Much of the rental stock in areas like Olton and Lyndon (B92) consists of pre-1970s terraced and semi-detached properties. Built before modern insulation standards, these homes often have solid walls, older boilers, or outdated heating controls, and frequently sit at EPC D or E.

There is a further complication: in Solihull, around 3,959 rental properties are currently affected by assumed defaults — meaning their certificates may not accurately reflect the property’s actual performance.

On the sales side, there is a clear market signal. Homes rated C or above are selling faster and attracting stronger offers across Solihull, and B90 has seen a noticeable increase in upgraded stock coming to market.

The Regulatory Deadline Landlords Need to Know

The government has proposed a minimum EPC C rating for all new tenancies from 2028, with existing tenancies to follow. While the legislation has not yet been passed, the direction is clear and the window to prepare is narrowing.

For context, 88% of new English dwellings receiving EPCs in the final quarter of 2025 were rated A or B. The gap between new builds and older housing stock is significant, and new development in areas like the Solihull fringes does nothing to improve the performance of existing homes nearby.

Landlords who wait until the rules are confirmed risk facing higher upgrade costs, longer lead times for contractors, and the prospect of a void period if their property becomes unlettable.

Funding and Schemes Available Now

The good news is that there is meaningful financial support available — and some of it will not last indefinitely.

Birmingham: Warm Homes Local Grant (2025–2028)

The Birmingham Warm Homes Local Grant targets 625 homes in priority areas including Balsall Heath, Bromford, Castle Vale, Sparkbrook, Tyseley, and Hay Mills. It covers up to £15,000 of improvements per property.

Eligible properties must be rated EPC D to G and privately owned. Qualification runs through one of three routes:

• The property sits within a deprivation-decile postcode
• The household receives means-tested benefits
• Household income is £36,000 or less after housing costs

Owner-occupiers who qualify receive upgrades free of charge. Landlords are required to contribute. Further Warm Homes funding covering 2028 to 2030 has also been announced, which will allow new priority areas to be identified.

ECO4 (Until 31 December 2026)

ECO4 can fund 100% of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation for households on qualifying benefits with a home rated D to G. Birmingham City Council participates in ECO4 Flex, which includes broader eligibility routes — among them households with a gross annual income below £31,000 and properties in the lowest 25% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation. This scheme closes at the end of 2026.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 toward the cost of an air source or ground source heat pump. Landlords are eligible, though fabric recommendations must be addressed first. Separately, 0% VAT applies to energy-saving materials on residential installations until 31 March 2027, after which it rises to 5%.

Solihull: Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2)

Solihull Council used HUG2 funding to help homeowners in Shirley with upgrades including air source heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, and new radiators. In the properties completed, EPC ratings improved from E to C. The Council subsequently secured a further £1.2 million to extend the scheme to more residents, including properties in Dorridge.

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — Olton and Lyndon

Around 700 households in Olton and Lyndon have been identified as eligible for upgrades through the Great British Insulation Scheme, delivered in partnership with energy operator E.ON. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the upgrades could save residents up to £590 per year on their energy bills. The scheme is available across Solihull, not only in these areas.

What Improvements Make the Most Difference?

The right upgrade depends on the property type, age, and current rating. That said, some measures consistently deliver the largest gains in EPC score:

It is worth checking the existing EPC’s recommendations section before commissioning any work — it will list the measures specific to that property, along with estimated cost ranges and score improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an EPC if I’m selling, not letting? Yes. A valid EPC is required when marketing a property for sale or rent. It must be obtained before the property is listed.

How long does an EPC last? An EPC is valid for 10 years. If significant energy-efficiency improvements have been made, it is worth commissioning a new assessment to reflect the current standard.

Can I use multiple schemes on the same property? In some cases, yes. ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, for example, can sometimes be used together if the property and household meet the criteria for both. It is advisable to check eligibility with each scheme provider.

Are landlords eligible for the Warm Homes Local Grant? Landlords can apply, but unlike owner-occupiers, they are required to contribute to the cost of improvements rather than receiving them free of charge.

What happens if my rental property is below EPC C when the 2028 rules come in? Under the proposed rules, landlords would not be able to grant new tenancies for properties below EPC C. The cap on required spend is expected to be set at £15,000 per property, but the legislation has not yet been finalised.

A Practical Note for Landlords and Sellers

If you own rental property in Birmingham or Solihull and have not yet checked your EPC rating or assessed your upgrade options, now is the time to do it — not because the deadline is tomorrow, but because funded schemes like ECO4 close in 2026 and contractor availability tends to tighten as deadlines approach.

For sellers, the evidence from Solihull is straightforward: better-rated homes are moving faster and drawing stronger interest. An investment in energy efficiency is increasingly an investment in saleability.

You can read more about what landlords in Solihull need to consider in our complete landlord’s guide.

If you are unsure how EPC ratings might affect the value or lettability of your property in Birmingham or Solihull, the team at Partridge Homes is happy to help. Get in touch with us today for straightforward, local advice.