As a landlord, trainer, public speaker and former President of ARLA Propertymark, I’ve always believed that good property investment starts with being well informed. Over the past 20+ years I’ve trained more than 7,000 landlords and agents across the UK — and more recently published my book How to Become a Successful Property Investor to help others build strong, compliant portfolios that stand the test of time.

In this month’s article, I’m looking at one of the most significant regulatory changes we’ve seen in years: the complete overhaul of EPCs through the launch of RdSAP 10. Whether or not you agree with the current government’s environmental policies, this new assessment framework is now live — and it’s something all property investors should take seriously, particularly with the 2030 minimum EPC C deadline approaching.

So What’s New in RdSAP 10?
RdSAP 10 introduces a far more detailed and granular approach to property assessment. Surveyors are now required to record significantly more data, measure more elements manually, and input a greater level of specification than before. Here are some of the key changes:

Windows
Previously, surveyors could estimate window area and glazing type using templates. Under RdSAP 10, every individual window must be measured, including frame type, glazing specification, draught-proofing, and even the orientation of each pane.

Insulation & Walls
Assessors can now specify exact insulation thickness in 10mm increments, and include two wall types per elevation. For landlords who have retrofitted insulation over the years, this will only be beneficial if they have documentation to support what has been installed.