Greener properties build stronger portfolios – How we help landlords make the switch

Investing in greener properties isn’t just an ethical decision – it’s a strategic one. Energy efficiency can help drive down bills, improve tenant appeal and also helps landlords stay ahead of the upcoming EPC legislation. In fact, a new EPC framework is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2026, making now the perfect time to act.

We’ve seen clear and consistent increases in green mortgage applications across both buy to let and residential markets. In fact, our data shows that June delivered the highest number of green BTL cases so far this year, now making up a growing share of overall BTL activity. It’s a strong signal that landlords are actively looking for more energy-efficient properties or upgrading what they already own.

On the residential side, we’ve also received a high number of green applications in June. This reflects the growing interest from homebuyers looking for energy-efficient homes that offer better comfort, lower running costs, or long-term future value.

Regionally, our figures show the South East, North West, and South Central are leading areas for buy to let activity, while the Midlands has taken the top spot for residential, closely followed by the East and North West.

This tells us that appetite for green finance isn’t just growing, it’s starting to spread across a wider range of regions and property types. And with upcoming EPC targets tightening, we expect this demand to continue rising through the rest of the year. That’s why we’ve built flexibility into our green criteria, making going green easier and more rewarding than ever.

Better for the planet, better for landlords

Making your rental property more energy efficient isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore, it’s quickly becoming a smart, necessary move for landlords. That’s why we designed our green mortgage offering to be a win-win for landlords by combing financial incentives with real, practical support across buy to let.

With energy prices having risen by over 50% in the last two years, tenants are far more conscious of running costs, and the demand for greener, more efficient homes is growing. In fact, research from Rightmove shows that rental properties with an EPC rating of C or above can charge up to 16% higher rents than less efficient homes. It’s not just about the short-term gains either. The government’s long-term aim is still to raise the minimum EPC requirement for privately rented homes to a C rating, meaning those who act early will be better placed when regulations tighten.

Investing in improvements like upgraded insulation, modern heating systems and double glazing not only makes your property more attractive to tenants, it also helps reduce void periods, lower maintenance issues, and increase the long-term value of your asset. And when landlords are under pressure from rising costs and changing legislation, improving a property’s energy performance is one of the more reliable ways to protect and potentially grow your investment.

Whether your clients are buying or remortgaging, our green mortgage criteria are available across a wide range of cases, including portfolio and non-portfolio landlords, limited companies, and properties with EPC ratings of A, B, or C.

Have a ten-year-old property with an A-E EPC rating? Our Vibrant product can help

Through our Vibrant partnership, we offer landlords up to £1,000 cashback when they improve a property’s EPC to A-C within 12 months of completion. This cashback then goes towards upgrades such as energy-efficient heating systems, loft or cavity wall insulation, double or triple glazing, adding Solar panels and other upgrades that raise the EPC rating.

Alongside this, each case gets a tailored Vibrant EPC improvement report, packed with practical, property-specific advice on which upgrades will make the biggest impact. For example, a recent report recommended a combination of air source heat pump installation, solar PV and battery storage, and floor and wall cavity insulation – all designed to help the client save energy and money.

The report worked out what these upgrades would result in energy-wise for property, such as the EPC rating improving from E47 to B82 and the carbon emissions would be reduced by 64%, equivalent of 4.4 tonnes. And as for the financial benefit of these upgrades, the report calculated that the property value would increase from £432,286 to £460,567 and that the client would save approximately £2,264 annually from reduced bill costs.

This example shows that the Vibrant EPC improvement report is more than just guidance – it’s a practical tool that adds measurable value and supports landlords in meeting future energy standards.

Built for what landlords need

We understand the unique pressures landlords face, that’s why our criteria are built with flexibility and savings at their core:

•          Available to limited companies, HMOs and non-portfolio landlords
•          Green rates for both purchase and competitive remortgage
•           Compatible with government funding and capital raising needs
•           Open to clients with non-mainstream credit or complex incomes

If your clients want to save money, attract tenants faster, and protect their investment long-term, Foundation Home Loan’s green mortgage range is the smart place to start.

Speak to us today and send us your next green case.

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