All About Energy Performance Certificate

The main uses of an EPC certificate include selling, renting or leasing a building in the UK. It facilitates buyers and tenants to understand the property’s energy efficiency and likely running costs. It also demonstrates that the owner or landlord is fulfilling legal energy efficiency needs before marketing the property.

Yes, an EPC is a legal requirement in the UK for most properties. A valid EPC must be in place before a property is advertised for sale or rent. This applies to both residential and commercial buildings, excluding a small number of legally defined exemptions.

An EPC certificate is required by property owners, landlords, sellers, developers, and letting or estate agents. Anyone responsible for marketing a property for sale or rent must ensure an EPC is available. Tenants and buyers also need an EPC to understand energy performance.

Only an accredited and qualified EPC assessor can issue an official EPC certificate. The assessor must be approved by a recognised UK accreditation body and register the certificate on the official national EPC register. Certificates issued by unaccredited individuals are not legally valid.

An EPC assessment process includes a visit from a qualified assessor who evaluates the property. They check insulation, heating systems, windows, layout, and lighting. This information is entered into approved software to calculate the energy rating and generate the EPC report.

An EPC report contains the property’s current energy efficiency rating, potential future rating, estimated energy costs, and environmental impact. It also delivers clear recommendations for improvements, such as insulation or heating upgrades, which help owners plan ways to reduce energy use and bills.

An EPC rating shows how energy-efficient a property is on a scale from A to G. A-rated properties are the most energy-efficient with lower energy costs, while G-rated properties are the least efficient and typically more expensive to heat and run.