Energy ratings can help organise a conversation about a home, but a market-wide headline does not describe every building. This archive article looks at Rightmove’s December 2025 research and was reviewed on 15 October 2026.
What the research reported
Rightmove reported that 46% of properties for sale and 58% of rentals in its analysis were rated EPC C or above. Its 2025 Greener Homes work drew on energy certificates, property listings and consumer research. Those figures describe the publisher’s analysis at the time; they should not be presented as an inspection of every UK home.
An improvement in a market statistic also does not establish the condition of a particular property. The certificate and the building itself remain the starting points for a more useful discussion.
Ask property-specific questions
Before commissioning work, obtain the relevant certificate and note when it was prepared. Make a list of the recommendations, then ask a qualified assessor or suitable professional which are appropriate for the building. Clarify whether work already completed is reflected in the available documentation.
Ask contractors to describe the scope of a quotation, any preparatory work and what evidence will be supplied on completion. Compare quotations on the same basis rather than looking only at the headline total. Discuss how proposed changes fit together, including any implications for ventilation and maintenance, before choosing a sequence of work.
Keep benefits and assumptions separate
Treat any projected saving as something to examine, not a guaranteed reduction in your own bill. Ask what assumptions underpin the estimate and whether they match the property and its intended use. Record those assumptions alongside the quotation so that expectations remain clear.
For a landlord, this research is context for planning, rather than proof of compliance with rental standards. For a buyer or tenant, it is a reason to ask better questions rather than infer running costs from a national average. The most useful outcome is a documented, property-specific assessment that can be revisited as circumstances change.