You’re about to sell or rent your property, and someone’s mentioned you need an EPC.
Why do you need an Energy Performance Certificate and what are they for?
This guide cuts through the confusion with clear, practical answers.
You’ll discover exactly when you need an EPC, who’s responsible for getting one, and what happens if you don’t comply. We’ll also bust some common myths that could land you in hot water.
By the end, you’ll know whether you need an EPC for your specific situation and understand your next steps to stay legally compliant while protecting your property transaction.
No jargon, no unnecessary complications – just the facts you need to make the right decision.
What Exactly Is an EPC and Why Does It Matter?
An Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, is an official document that rates a property’s energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Think of it like the energy rating labels you see on washing machines, but for buildings.
But EPCs aren’t just helpful guidance – they’re a legal requirement.
The government made them mandatory to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions and give people clear information about energy costs before they buy or rent a property.
The certificate shows how much you might expect to spend on heating and lighting, plus recommendations for improvements.
An EPC remains valid for 10 years, but if you make energy improvements and get a new assessment, the newer certificate automatically replaces the old one. This means you can improve your property’s marketability by investing in upgrades.
Read more: Guide to EPCs
The Three Key Situations When You Must Have an EPC
The law requires an EPC in three specific situations, and understanding these will help you know exactly where you stand.
Selling Your Property
Every property sale needs a valid EPC – no exceptions.
This applies whether you’re selling through an estate agent or privately to a friend. The certificate must be available before you start marketing your property, not when you find a buyer.
If you’re using an estate agent, they’re legally responsible for making sure you have an EPC before they advertise your property. However, as the seller, you’ll still face penalties if something goes wrong, so it’s worth checking this is sorted.
Unlike rental properties, there’s no minimum energy rating required for sales. Your property can have a G rating and still be legally sold, though this will affect the price buyers are willing to pay.
Renting Out Your Property
All rental properties need an EPC, and this is where things get more complex.
Your property must achieve at least an E rating to be legally let – this is called the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards or MEES.
The rules tightened in April 2023, so all existing tenancies now need to meet this standard, not just new ones. Looking ahead, commercial rental properties will need a valid EPC even when there’s no change of tenant from April 2025.
For residential rentals, the government has proposed requiring a valid EPC throughout the entire tenancy period, rather than just when you first let the property. This means more frequent renewals and higher costs for landlords, but these changes aren’t law yet.
Completing New Builds or Major Renovations
When you complete a new building or finish substantial renovations, you’ll need an EPC within five days of completion.
This responsibility usually falls on the builder or developer, who must provide the certificate to whoever commissioned the work.
This requirement covers everything from self-build homes to major conversion projects. If you’re converting a garage into a separate flat or building an extension that creates additional living space, you’ll likely need a new EPC.
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Who’s Responsible?
As the seller, you’re responsible for commissioning the EPC when selling.
As a landlord, it’s your job when renting.
If you’re using an estate agent or letting agent, they should remind you about this requirement and may even arrange it for you, but the legal responsibility remains yours.
You need your EPC in place before you start marketing your property, not when you find a buyer or tenant.
Timeline and Costs
EPCs usually take between three and five working days to arrange, though this can vary depending on your location and the assessor’s availability. You’ll need to allow access for the energy assessor to visit your property and take measurements.
Costs vary depending on your property type and location.
For domestic properties, expect to pay between £60 and £120. Commercial properties cost more due to their complexity, with prices ranging from £300 to £800 or higher for large or complex buildings.
Don’t wait until the last minute. If you’re planning to sell or let your property, arrange your EPC as soon as you make the decision. This gives you time to address any issues and prevents delays in your transaction.
What Happens If You Don’t Get an EPC?
Local authorities handle EPC enforcement and can issue fines ranging from £200 for smaller domestic properties up to £5,000 for larger homes.
But money isn’t the only problem.
If you’re selling and don’t have an EPC, your buyer might pull out or delay completion. Their solicitor will check for the certificate, and missing paperwork can derail transactions at the worst possible moment.
Additional Consequences for Landlords
Beyond the basic EPC penalty, you could face additional MEES violations if your rental property doesn’t meet the minimum E rating. These carry separate fines and can prevent you from legally letting your property.
Quick Solutions
The good news is that most EPC problems can be fixed quickly.
If you discover you need an EPC during a transaction, emergency services can often provide one within 24-48 hours. It’ll cost more, but it’s better than losing your sale or new tenant.
Who organises a survey when buying a house?
In most cases, the responsibility of organising a home survey falls on the buyer. (yes that’s you!)
How a Mortgage Broker Can Help
You might wonder what EPCs have to do with mortgages, but the connection is stronger than many people realise.
Some lenders now consider EPC ratings when assessing mortgage applications, and this trend is growing.
Properties with better energy efficiency ratings may qualify for green mortgage products with more favourable terms. Conversely, properties with very poor ratings might face lending restrictions from certain lenders, particularly for buy-to-let mortgages.
A mortgage broker can guide you through these complications and some will be able to recommend an EPC assessor.
They understand which lenders care about EPC ratings and which don’t, helping you find the right mortgage for your specific property situation.
Your Next Steps: Getting EPC-Ready
Now you know whether you need an EPC, it’s time to take action.
If you’re planning to sell, commission your EPC before you instruct an estate agent or start any marketing. This prevents delays and gives you time to address any issues.
For landlords, check when your current EPC expires and whether your property meets the minimum E rating. If you’re below this standard, you’ll need to make improvements or risk being unable to let your property legally.
Finding the EPC Right Assessor
Find an accredited assessor through the official government websites for your area. Don’t just pick the cheapest quote – choose someone who can arrange the assessment quickly and has good reviews from previous clients.
Energyperformancecertificates.co.uk is a business that started in 2010 and provides EPCs to homeowners, landlords and businesses throughout the UK. Their highly qualified Domestic Energy Assessors gather important information on your property’s energy efficiency levels and present you with an energy performance certificate (EPC) at a competitive price.
Keep your EPC certificate somewhere safe and easily accessible. You’ll need to provide copies to buyers, tenants, and their solicitors, so having digital copies ready saves time later.
EPCs can normally be arranged quite quickly. But leave some time as there may be some work that you need, or want, to do to improve the rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, every property sale in the UK requires a valid EPC, including private sales between friends or family. The certificate must be available before you start any marketing or negotiations, and you’ll face penalties of up to £5,000 if you don’t comply.
Most EPCs take 3-5 working days to arrange once you book an assessor. The actual assessment visit usually takes around 60 minutes depending on your property size. Emergency services can provide EPCs within 24-48 hours but cost significantly more.
The seller is responsible for commissioning and paying for the EPC when selling a property. Costs range from £60-£120 for domestic properties. Even if you use an estate agent, you’ll still need to arrange payment for the assessment.
No, it’s illegal to market or sell a property without a valid EPC in the UK. Your buyer’s solicitor will check for this certificate, and missing it can delay or collapse your transaction. Penalties range from £200-£5,000 depending on property size.
No, remortgaging doesn’t require any EPC to be in place.
However, if you are remortgaging to fund home improvements, you may choose to get a new EPC when the work is complete, as it will be based on the upgraded property spec.
Yes, all commercial properties need EPCs when sold, rented, or newly built. The assessment process is more complex than domestic properties, and costs range from £300-£800+. Commercial properties must also achieve minimum E ratings for rentals.
Domestic EPCs focus on heating, lighting, and hot water systems using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). Commercial EPCs are more complex, assessing larger buildings with advanced HVAC systems using the National Calculation Methodology (NCM).
EPCs are valid for 10 years from issue date. You can use an existing valid EPC, but if you’ve made energy improvements, getting a new assessment might achieve a better rating and make your property more attractive to buyers or tenants.
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