The legislation has not yet become law and could also mean that all existing tenancies will need to have a C rating or above by 2027.
Research from Shawbrook Bank, which surveyed 1,000 landlords, found that awareness of the legislation had improved, with 78 per cent aware of government proposals.
However, the bank said that while many were aware of the rules there was still a significant proportion who do not know a lot about the proposals.
Nearly three quarters of landlords have said the government has done a “poor job” communicating the EPC changes.
Around 31 per cent of landlords surveyed said information was a barrier and 68 per cent said there wasn’t enough support for them to make improvements.
In the latest Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that it would invest a further £6bn into energy efficiency and create an energy efficiency task force.
Hunt also set a new “national ambition” to reduce the UK’s energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15 per cent by 2023.
Emma Cox (pictured), managing director of real estate at Shawbrook, said landlords were already grappling with a “volatile housing market” and it was “vital that they are planning ahead where possible”.
She added: “The government has made clear its aspirations for net zero buildings and every homeowner and property investor in the UK will have a role to play in getting us to this goal.
“However, while many landlords have done their homework and know of the current EPC proposals, there is still a huge amount of uncertainty.
Cox explained that many were waiting for confirmation from the government on timings of proposals, and others were already taking action on their properties.
“The fear is with materials and service costs going up, improvement work could become increasingly expensive as the proposed 2025 deadline comes closer,” she noted.
Cox continued: “At Shawbrook we want to support our landlords as they look to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, and at our recent industry roundtable we discussed the role that brokers and lenders can play and the guidance we can offer.
“We’re continuing to work alongside the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and speak to our broker partners, and customers and about the upcoming legislation and the wider impact on tenants of the cost of living crisis and would urge the rest of the industry to be doing the same.”
