Big boost for landlords and agents making low-carbon upgrades

From 29 May 2025, landlords and agents in England will benefit from new planning freedoms allowing easier installation of air source heat pumps and EV chargers—a significant step forward in modernising private rented sector (PRS) homes.

The update, part of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025, removes long-standing barriers that previously blocked installations in smaller or terraced properties.

What’s changing?

• Air Source Heat Pumps:
  The previous requirement to maintain a 1-metre gap from property boundaries is scrapped—crucial for flats, terraced homes, and other space-restricted PRS properties.

• EV Chargers:
  It’s now permitted to install an EV charging point where the electrical outlet faces onto and is within 2 metres of a highway—opening up options for properties with front drives.

Why this matters

These reforms reflect a stronger alignment between planning rules and environmental goals, and are expected to unlock thousands of retrofit opportunities.

For letting agents managing portfolios, it means fewer planning headaches and a smoother path to futureproofing properties. For landlords, it’s a chance to boost tenant appeal and long-term asset value while supporting decarbonisation goals.

Applied Retroactively

The changes will apply retrospectively to existing permitted development rights—reducing the need for planning applications and giving owners the green light to act sooner.