Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property’s energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, where A represents the highest efficiency and G the lowest. Currently, the average UK home falls between ratings D and E. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the property is.

A low EPC rating can lead to additional costs to improve energy efficiency. Properties with a rating below E cannot legally be rented or sold, which may also affect the property's market value and appeal. Therefore, investing in an EPC and making energy improvements is worthwhile.

The EPC uses a sliding bar graph, similar to energy labels on electrical appliances, with a colour scale from green (efficient) to red (inefficient). The certificate displays both the current and potential ratings for the property’s Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact (CO2) ratings.

If your property does not have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), it is illegal to rent it out. Local authorities can impose fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance. From 2025, the penalty for not holding a valid EPC rated ‘C’ or above will increase to £30,000 under updated regulations.

At the start of a tenancy—or as soon as possible thereafter—you must provide your tenant with a copy of the EPC, especially if it has been renewed during their tenancy. Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with the government’s How to Rent guide, Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), and Gas Safety Certificate. Failure to supply these documents will prevent you from serving a Section 21 notice.

During an EPC inspection, one of our accredited assessors will carry out a detailed visual survey of your property to determine its energy efficiency rating. The assessor will need access to all areas of the property to collect accurate information and measurements required for a comprehensive report.

Several factors are considered when evaluating residential, commercial, or public buildings. The heating system has the most significant impact on the rating, including its size, type, and thermostat settings. It’s important to keep thermostat settings at normal levels during the inspection to ensure an accurate assessment.

Lighting is also assessed, noting the number and type of fixtures in each room. Replacing incandescent or CFL bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting can substantially reduce energy consumption and improve the EPC rating.

While windows have a smaller effect on the rating, upgrading from single-glazed to double-glazed windows can improve insulation and boost the score.

The assessor will also check loft insulation, as inadequate insulation can cause up to 33% of heat loss in a home. Other factors include doors, hot water pipe insulation, and any renewable energy technologies installed, all of which contribute to the overall energy performance of the property.

Once the EPC assessor completes the inspection, they will issue a valid Energy Performance Certificate, which rates your property’s energy efficiency on a scale from A to G.

A poor rating indicates that your building is not energy efficient and usually comes with recommended improvements to enhance its performance. While some upgrades may involve significant costs, taking proactive steps before the inspection can help reduce expenses and improve your rating.

Before booking an EPC inspection, consider measures such as insulating your home to reduce heat loss, installing double or secondary glazing, draught-proofing doors and windows, switching to low-energy light bulbs, using a thermostat to control heating, closing doors to unused rooms, and exploring renewable energy options like solar panels or wind turbines.

Improving your property’s energy efficiency not only reduces your carbon footprint but can also increase its market value.

On average, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) survey takes about 20 minutes for a studio apartment and up to an hour for larger family homes. The primary factor influencing the duration is the property’s size, although the layout and complexity can also affect the inspection time.

As Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are legally required when selling or renting a property, it’s important to know how to obtain one. To get an EPC, you must hire a certified energy assessor who will conduct an on-site inspection of your property.

During the assessment, the assessor will examine key elements such as the heating system and other relevant features. They may also take measurements and photographs if necessary.

The duration of the inspection depends on the property’s size and the assessor’s pace, but generally, it is a quick process.

Once the assessment is complete, the collected data is entered into specialized software, which calculates both the current and potential energy efficiency ratings and generates the official EPC.

There are no minimum EPC rating requirements when selling a property, aside from having a valid Energy Performance Certificate. However, for rental properties, a minimum rating of ‘E’ is mandatory. Properties with an EPC rating below ‘E’ cannot be legally let to new tenants.

Before marketing your property for sale or rent, it is mandatory to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) available for prospective buyers or tenants.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) legislation became legally binding in England and Wales from April 2018 for privately rented properties. The law mandates that all rental properties must have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘E’ before they can be let.

From April 2020, MEES extended to cover existing residential tenancies, and from April 2023, it included existing commercial lettings.

Some exemptions apply, including properties not legally required to have an EPC—such as listed buildings, temporary structures, holiday lets, short-term rentals (under six months), and very long leases (over 99 years).

To comply with MEES, landlords and tenants must undertake cost-effective improvements to reach an EPC rating of ‘E’ or above. These improvements must be certified by an independent energy assessor. For commercial properties, energy investments must be cost-effective within a seven-year payback period.

Properties may be exempt if the required upgrades would reduce the market value by more than 5%, as verified by a qualified independent surveyor. Exemptions also apply if consent from tenants, superior landlords, or planning authorities is refused or conditions cannot be met.

MEES applies only to buildings let under “Relevant Tenancies,” including assured, regulated, and domestic agricultural tenancies. Properties let solely under licenses and social housing are exempt.

Checking whether you already have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is easy, as all EPCs are stored in a national database. Since an EPC is valid for ten years, you might not know if the previous owner obtained one or may have simply forgotten about it.

You can search for your property’s EPC online for free—no costs or fees are involved in accessing this information.