EPC C landlords North West: 14 councils compared
EPC C landlords North West face the same 2030 rule but very different local conditions. This page compares 14 councils in Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire on private renting, EPC bands and landlord licensing, with a full page for each. Greater Manchester has its own set of pages.
Last checked: 22 October 2026. The EPC C by 2030 rule is confirmed government policy, not yet law. Legislation is targeted for 2027.
Private rented homes North West: data at a glance
The North West had 606,844 privately rented households in Census 2021, or 19.2% of all households. England's share was 20.5%. The table shows each council, with the share of homes with an EPC that are rated D or below.
| Council | Private rented share | Rated D to G | Landlord licensing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 26.1% | 43.2% | Selective licensing, about 80% of private rented homes |
| Wirral | 18.9% | 58.7% | Selective licensing, three overlapping areas |
| Sefton | 18.2% | 54.2% | Selective and additional HMO licensing, Bootle |
| St Helens | 15.1% | 49.7% | None found; mandatory HMO only |
| Knowsley | 14.3% | 32.3% | None found; mandatory HMO only |
| Warrington | 15.2% | 46.5% | None found; mandatory HMO only |
| Halton | 14.3% | 41.5% | Proposed, no decision |
| Cheshire East | 15.5% | 50.4% | None found; mandatory HMO only |
| Cheshire West and Chester | 15.7% | 48.0% | None found; mandatory HMO only |
| Preston | 22.4% | 44.8% | Proposed, no decision |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 20.2% | 53.9% | Not confirmed |
| Blackpool | 31.8% | 63.0% | Selective licensing, eight inner wards |
| Burnley | 24.3% | 57.0% | Selective licensing, seven areas |
| Lancaster | 21.7% | 59.4% | None found; mandatory HMO only |
Rates come from the government EPC register on 22 October 2026 and Census 2021. Licensing status is as we found it on council pages, and councils can change schemes.
North West EPC bands: where they are weakest
Three councils have the highest share of homes rated D or below: Blackpool at 63.0%, Lancaster at 59.4% and Wirral at 58.7%. A high share means more rentals need upgrading before the 2030 deadline.
Counts include owner-occupied homes, not just rentals. Use them as a guide to local housing stock, and check your own property by address.
North West landlord licensing: council by council
Licensing differs sharply by council. Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Blackpool and Burnley run selective licensing in whole or part of their area. Halton and Preston have proposals out for consultation. Warrington, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, St Helens, Knowsley and Lancaster showed no selective scheme in our checks.
Mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere in England to larger shared houses. Always check the council's current pages before you let, because zones are set street by street or ward by ward, and consultations can change the picture within months.
Warm Homes Local Grant in the North West
Councils deliver the Warm Homes Local Grant in different ways. Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington state that it runs to 31 March 2028, with landlords contributing at least half after the first property. Merseyside councils work through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Each council page sets out what we could confirm. See also our grants for landlords guide.
How the 2030 rule applies
The rule is confirmed policy for all private rentals in England. Under it, a rental needs an EPC of C or above by 2030, and landlords face a spending cap of £10,000 per property. Exemptions exist, but they need evidence. See our EPC C 2030 guide and the cost cap and exemptions guide. For Greater Manchester, start at our Greater Manchester areas page.
Sources
- ONS: Census 2021 tenure by region and local authority, checked 22 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Get energy performance of buildings data, domestic certificates API, data pulled 22 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, government response, checked 22 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Warm Homes Local Grant policy guidance, July 2026, checked 22 October 2026
Designed & developed by LAMTANS Technologies LLC, USA — part of the LAMTANS Group
Frequently asked questions
Does the EPC C rule apply across the North West?
Yes. It is government policy for all private rentals in England, confirmed but not yet law. Legislation is targeted for 2027.
Which North West council has the most rented homes?
By households, Liverpool has the most of the 14 in this comparison, with 54,067 privately rented households at the 2021 Census.
Do I need a licence to let in the North West?
It depends on the council and the street. Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Blackpool and Burnley run selective schemes. Check the council's page for your address.
Is the Warm Homes Local Grant the same everywhere?
The national rules are shared, but councils deliver it differently. Check your council's page for the current route.
Do you cover areas outside these 14 councils?
We are building out coverage across the North West. Contact us about your property.