New Building & Rental Property Laws: What Landlords and Homeowners on the Wirral Need to Know

If you own or manage a rental property on the Wirral or Merseyside, the rules around building standards, heating systems, and property condition are changing. While much of the media talks about EPC ratings, there are also separate and equally important new laws and standards affecting rental homes — especially around heating, safety, and “decent living conditions.”

At Wirral Gas, we believe property owners should have clear, practical guidance — so here’s what’s changing and what you should be preparing for.

1. The “Decent Homes Standard” Is Expanding into the Private Rental Sector

For many years, social housing has been legally required to meet a Decent Homes Standard. The government is now extending similar expectations to private rented properties.

What this means in practice:

Rental homes must:

• Be safe

• Be free from serious hazards

• Have adequate heating

• Provide a reasonable level of thermal comfort

This shifts the legal test from “Is the boiler working?” to:

“Is the property actually warm, safe, and fit to live in?”

If a property cannot be heated properly in winter — even if the boiler technically works — landlords could be required to upgrade the heating system.

2. Building Standards for New Homes Are Now Much Stricter

From 2025 onward, all new-build homes must meet the government’s Future Homes Standard. While this does not automatically apply to older properties, it will apply to any new rental developments or major conversions.

New homes must now be built with:

• Much higher insulation and airtightness

• Modern low-carbon or high-efficiency heating systems

• Far lower heat loss than older properties

Landlords investing in new rental properties need to plan for very different heating systems than in the past.

3. Stronger Local Authority Enforcement Is Expected

Local councils are being given greater powers and funding to enforce:

• Property condition

• Housing safety

• Heating adequacy

• Winter thermal comfort for tenants

This means enforcement is becoming:

• Data-driven

• Proactive rather than reactive

• Area-by-area, including Merseyside

Landlords can no longer assume that older properties will go unchecked.

4. What This Means for Heating Systems in Rental Properties

From a practical heating point of view, these changes mean that many rental properties will need:

• Modern A-rated condensing boilers

• Proper heating controls and thermostats

• Working TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves)

• Systems that are correctly sized for the property

• Efficient hot water systems

In some cases, landlords may be advised to consider:

• Hybrid systems

• Upgraded pipework and zoning

• Smart heating controls for better efficiency

The focus is shifting from “minimum compliance” to “demonstrable comfort and efficiency.”

5. Why Landlords Should Act Early

Every previous change in housing and safety law has followed the same pattern:

1. Announcement

2. Delay

3. Sudden enforcement

4. Mass panic upgrades

Waiting until enforcement begins often leads to:

• Long delays for engineers

• Higher installation costs

• Limited boiler availability

• Rushed decisions

Landlords who plan early benefit from:

• Better pricing

• Proper system design

• Flexible installation dates

• Future-proof compliance

6. What Wirral Gas Can Do for Landlords

At Wirral Gas, we help landlords stay legally compliant, cost-efficient, and future-ready with:

• Boiler upgrades & replacements

• Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12)

• Heating control upgrades

• System powerflushing & efficiency improvements

• Advice on future compliance and hybrid options

• Servicing and maintenance for rental portfolios

We work with private landlords, letting agents and property investors across the Wirral and surrounding areas.

7. Our Recommendations to Landlords

If you own a rental property, now is the right time to:

• Review the age and efficiency of your boiler

• Check your heating controls

• Ensure the system can reliably heat the property in winter

• Plan for future upgrades, not just emergency repairs

Even if your property is currently “legal,” upcoming standards are clearly moving toward higher expectations of warmth, efficiency and comfort.

Need Advice on Your Rental Property’s Heating?

If you’re unsure whether your heating system meets today’s expectations — or tomorrow’s — Wirral Gas offers honest, practical advice and recommendations.

Learn more about our landlord services here