Improving your rental property EPC score
How to improve the EPC score of your rental property? Priority works, costs and grants.
Understanding your current EPC score
The EPC certificate (Energy Performance Certificate) rates your property from A++ (excellent) to G (very poor). In Belgium, over 60 % of let dwellings display an E, F or G score. Improving this score is no longer optional: all three regions are progressively imposing minimum scores for letting.
The EPC certificate identifies the most energy-hungry components of your property: roof, walls, glazing, heating and ventilation. It is your roadmap for prioritising works. A certified assessor provides costed recommendations.
Before starting works, have a comprehensive energy audit carried out. Some regions subsidise this (Renolution audit in Brussels, housing audit in Wallonia). This audit provides an action plan with the return on investment for each intervention.
Priority works by EPC impact
Not all works are equal. Here is the ranking by cost-to-EPC-improvement ratio:
| Works | EPC impact | Estimated cost | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof insulation | +++ | EUR 5,000 - 12,000 | 5 - 8 years |
| Glazing replacement (double/triple) | ++ | EUR 8,000 - 15,000 | 8 - 12 years |
| Wall insulation (external) | +++ | EUR 12,000 - 25,000 | 10 - 15 years |
| Boiler replacement | ++ | EUR 4,000 - 10,000 | 6 - 10 years |
| Heat pump | +++ | EUR 10,000 - 18,000 | 8 - 14 years |
| Solar panels | + | EUR 6,000 - 12,000 | 7 - 10 years |
| Mechanical ventilation (HRV) | + | EUR 3,000 - 7,000 | 10 - 15 years |
Roof insulation is nearly always the first item to address: 25 to 30 % of heat loss goes through the roof. If your property still has single glazing, replacement with double glazing offers an immediate gain.
For an F-rated property, a combination of roof + glazing + boiler often achieves a D rating in a single renovation campaign.
Costs and profitability for the landlord
Improving the EPC is an investment, not a sunk cost. A better-rated property lets faster, commands a higher rent and suffers less vacancy.
Concrete example: Marc owns an apartment in Liege rated F. Current rent: EUR 650/month. After roof insulation (EUR 8,000) and glazing replacement (EUR 10,000), the property moves to D. New rent: EUR 750/month. Annual gain: EUR 1,200. Pure ROI: 15 years, but regional grants can reduce this to 8-10 years.
Rent indexation is conditional on the EPC score in all three regions. An F or G-rated property can no longer be indexed, representing a significant cumulative loss over the lease term.
Regional grants and aids
Each region offers specific aids for energy renovation:
Brussels: the Renolution programme combines former energy and renovation grants. Grants can cover up to 70 % of works cost for low incomes. An energy audit is often required.
Wallonia: Habitation grants cover insulation, heating and ventilation. The amount depends on the applicant’s income and the EPC improvement achieved. A preliminary housing audit is mandatory for certain grants.
Flanders: the Mijn VerbouwPremie programme consolidates renovation aids. Grants are linked to EPC label improvement. Consult our guide EPC in Flanders for details.
Combine regional grants with federal tax deductions to maximise ROI.
Impact of EPC on rental value
The EPC score directly influences three key elements for the landlord:
- Rent amount: a C-rated property lets on average 10 to 15 % higher than an E-rated property in the same neighbourhood
- Vacancy: tenants favour energy-efficient properties, especially since the rise in energy prices
- Indexation: a poor EPC blocks annual indexation in all three regions
Improving your property’s EPC is also a legal obligation in the long term. Regional timelines impose progressive minimum scores. By anticipating works, you avoid deadline pressure and benefit from better conditions for grants.
To track your renovation works and their impact on your property’s profitability, a rental management software centralises your expenses, rents and EPC documents.