Havering and Redbridge EPC Ratings: How Many Homes Are Below Band C?

Havering has the least energy-efficient homes in London, and Redbridge isn’t far behind. According to official figures, more than half the homes with an EPC in both boroughs are rated below band C. This guide sets out the local numbers, explains why they’re so high, and covers what they mean for homeowners and landlords.

The headline figures

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) studied every valid EPC in England and Wales, up to March 2025. For each area, it worked out the share of homes rated band C or above. We’ve turned that around to show the share of homes below band C.

• Havering: 56% below band C. That’s the highest share of any London borough. It also puts Havering 36th from the bottom out of 318 council areas in England and Wales.
• Redbridge: 54% below band C. Only five London boroughs do worse.
• Barking and Dagenham: 37% below band C. That’s better than both the London and England averages.

For comparison, 42% of homes across London are below band C. Across England, the figure is 47%. So Havering and Redbridge sit well behind both the capital and the country as a whole.

Figures by constituency

The ONS also publishes figures for each parliamentary constituency. As a result, we can take a closer look at individual towns.

In other words, Hornchurch, Upminster and Romford have the furthest to go. Barking, by contrast, is far ahead of its neighbours. The next section explains why.

Why the numbers are so high here

The main reason is the type and age of the homes. Much of Havering and Redbridge was built between the wars, and a large share of it is semi-detached. Unfortunately, those homes are hard to bring up to band C.

• Semi-detached homes. Only 18% of semis in Redbridge reach band C. That means more than four in five fall short. In Havering, it’s 20%. Across England, by comparison, 43% of semis reach band C.
• Homes built before 1929. Only 15% of Havering’s oldest homes reach band C. In Redbridge, it’s 24%.
• Homes built from 1930 to 1982. Only 29% reach band C in Havering, and 33% in Redbridge. Across England, the figure is 41%.

Older homes often have solid walls or unfilled cavity walls. In addition, they may have older boilers and less loft insulation. As a result, they lose more heat, and the rating drops.

Flats tell a different story. For example, 71% of flats in Havering reach band C. That’s because flats share walls, floors and ceilings with their neighbours, so they lose less heat.

Why Barking and Dagenham does better

Barking and Dagenham’s lead comes mostly from new homes. Large new estates, such as Barking Riverside, have added thousands of modern homes. What’s more, nearly all new homes reach band C or above.

However, the picture changes when you look only at older, existing homes. On that measure, 53% of existing homes in Barking and Dagenham are below band C. That’s close to Redbridge (58%) and Havering (64%). So the older housing across all three boroughs faces much the same challenge.

What this means for landlords

Right now, privately rented homes must reach at least band E. However, the government has confirmed that rented homes will need to reach band C by 1 October 2030. This is confirmed policy, but it isn’t law yet. Under the plans, a landlord’s spending on upgrades will be capped at £10,000 per property.

Four years can pass quickly. In Havering and Redbridge, more than half of homes would currently fail the band C test. Many of these are the semis and older homes described above, which usually need the most work.

The English Housing Survey puts the average cost of bringing a home up to band C at around £7,500. For privately rented homes, the average is closer to £7,000. Of course, the real cost depends on the home. Older properties and homes rated F or G usually cost more.

Our EPC rules for landlords guide covers the current minimum, exemptions and the 2030 plans in more detail.

What this means for homeowners

Homeowners don’t face a band C deadline. Even so, the rating matters. After all, buyers see it on every listing, and some lenders offer better rates on more efficient homes. A low rating also usually means higher energy bills.

Your EPC also lists suggested upgrades, such as loft insulation or heating controls. Each one shows the rating you could reach. For more on what each band means, see EPC ratings explained.

Check your own home’s rating

These figures cover whole boroughs. Your own home may be better or worse. With our free EPC rating check, you enter a postcode and pick the address. You’ll then see the rating, the date it was lodged and when it expires. The data comes from the government EPC register, although we aren’t the official register ourselves.

If your EPC has expired, or you’ve made upgrades since the last one, a new assessment will show your current rating. A domestic EPC typically costs £60 to £120. Our guide to how much an EPC certificate costs explains what affects the price. Alternatively, you can book an EPC assessment with us for a fixed £69 for up to 3 bedrooms or £79 for 4 bedrooms. We cover Havering, Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham, and an accredited assessor carries out every EPC.

About these figures

It’s worth knowing what these numbers can and can’t tell you.

• Only homes with an EPC are counted. A home only gets an EPC when it’s built, sold or let. So roughly 3 in 10 homes aren’t included.
• Ratings are from the last assessment. If an owner has made upgrades since then, the figures won’t show it.
• The figures cover all homes. They include owned, rented and social housing together. The ONS doesn’t publish a separate figure for rented homes in each borough.
• The period runs up to March 2025. The analysis uses the latest EPC for each home lodged over the previous 10 years.

Source: Office for National Statistics, Energy efficiency of housing in England and Wales: 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Cost figures from the English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025. Percentages below band C are our own calculation from the ONS figures.

Frequently asked questions

Which London borough has the worst EPC ratings?

Havering. According to ONS figures, 56% of homes with an EPC in Havering are below band C. That’s the highest share of any London borough.

What percentage of homes in England are below EPC band C?

About 47% of homes with a valid EPC in England are below band C. In London, the figure is lower, at 42%.

Why are older homes harder to get to band C?

Older homes often have solid walls, little insulation and older heating. As a result, they lose more heat. So they usually need bigger and more costly upgrades to reach band C.

How much does it cost to get a home to EPC band C?

The English Housing Survey puts the average at around £7,500. However, older homes and those rated F or G usually cost much more.

Do landlords need an EPC of C by 2030?

The government has confirmed that rented homes will need band C by 1 October 2030. This is confirmed policy, but it isn’t law yet. For now, the legal minimum is band E.

How can I check my home’s EPC rating?

You can use our free EPC rating check. Just enter your postcode and pick your address to see the rating and expiry date.

For more on ratings, costs and landlord rules, browse all our EPC guides.