For landlords
Solar for landlords: EPC, tax and funding
There is no universal solar grant for landlords in England, so this page makes the commercial case instead. One installation can lift a property's EPC rating ahead of tightening minimum standards, cut bills in a way tenants notice, earn export income, and do it all with 0% VAT until March 2027. For a landlord facing an upgrade deadline, solar delivers compliance, savings and income in a single job.
Energy performance rating
Solar PV feeds directly into the EPC calculation, typically lifting a rating by one band and often two on smaller properties.
For landlords & portfolios
- EPC uplift ahead of minimum-standard deadlines
- Export income between tenancies
- 0% VAT until March 2027
The commercial case
Why put solar on rental property?
EPC compliance
Minimum energy standards for rental property are tightening, and a poor EPC can make a property illegal to let. Solar PV directly lifts the score, often by a band, securing the asset you already own.
0% VAT window
Solar and battery installations on residential property are VAT-free until March 2027. For a portfolio, multiplying that saving across properties is significant.
Export income
Panels earn Smart Export Guarantee payments on electricity exported to the grid, income that continues between tenancies when nobody is home to use the power.
Tax position
Depending on how the portfolio is held, installation costs and capital treatment can work in your favour. We provide itemised documentation; your accountant confirms the treatment for your structure.
The deadline that matters
Will your EPC rating let you keep letting?
Rental property in England and Wales already needs a minimum EPC rating of E, and government policy is to raise that bar substantially, with proposals requiring a C rating for new and existing tenancies over the coming years. Every band you are short is future risk on the asset.
Solar PV is one of the most reliable single upgrades for an EPC score. Unlike insulation retrofits, it needs no interior access, no tenant decant and no structural work, and it is the only EPC measure that pays you income while it holds your compliance.
Current requirements: gov.uk minimum energy efficiency standard guidance. We track proposed changes and update this page quarterly.
Own more than one property?
We survey and quote portfolios as a programme: one point of contact, phased installations between tenancies, and consistent documentation for your accountant across every property. We work across the North East, including County Durham and Newcastle.
Landlord FAQs
The questions landlords ask.
Do solar panels increase a property’s EPC rating?
Yes. Solar PV feeds directly into the EPC calculation and typically adds enough points to move a band, sometimes two on smaller properties. We can estimate the uplift for a specific property from its current certificate before you commit to anything.
Is there a solar grant for landlords?
No universal grant exists for landlords in England. The financial case is built instead on 0% VAT until March 2027, Smart Export Guarantee income, potential tax treatment depending on your structure, and the compliance value of the EPC uplift. Beware of anyone marketing "landlord solar grants".
Who gets the benefit, landlord or tenant?
Both. The tenant gets cheaper electricity, which makes the property easier to let and keep let. The landlord gets the EPC uplift, export income if the meter arrangement routes it that way, and a more valuable asset. We advise on the metering setup that fits your tenancy model.
Do tenants need to move out during installation?
No. A typical domestic installation completes in one to two days, working outside and at the consumer unit. We coordinate access with tenants or your letting agent and leave the property tidy.
What about HMOs and flats?
HMOs work well because daytime consumption is high. Flats depend on roof rights and metering, so leasehold arrangements need checking first. Send us the details and we will give you a straight answer on feasibility.
Funding the work: see asset finance and current incentives. Pairing panels with home battery storage can lift tenant savings further. More answers in our landlord and general questions.
Compliance, income and lower bills. One job.
Send us a property's EPC certificate and we'll tell you what solar would do to it, free.