What Is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC?)

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency of a domestic dwelling. Following assessment, properties are rated on a scale. A is the highest rating, meaning the property is highly energy-efficient and G is the lowest and least energy efficient. The average EPC rating for the UK is band D.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) contains information about how much energy a property consumes and the average cost of the energy bills. The certificate also contains suggestions and recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the property. Such as:

Low energy light bulbs
Double glazing with low-E glass
External and internal wall insulation
Loft and solid floor insulation
Solar water heating

Residential properties are rated on a scale from A to G (A being the most efficient and G the worst).

The EPC must be provided when a house is built, sold or rented.

The EPC was initially introduced in the UK as part of the Home Information Pack (HIP or Hip) in 2007. HIPs drew so much criticism for stalling housing sales they were discontinued in 2010, but the EPC continued as a requirement for sellers and for landlords of rented properties.

In 2018 (introduced in April 2020), the Government announced that rental properties had to achieve a minimum EPC rating of 'E'.

In 2021, a new Government proposal was announced that will require all new rental properties to be a minimum rating of 'C' by December 2025. All rental tenancies must be C-rated by December 2028. As yet, this is a proposal, but landlords are taking it seriously and making preparations. However, there could be more changes and amendments before the bill is passed.

EPCs are a little different in Scotland and must be displayed in the property, read more here.

All domestic properties in England and Wales must provide an EPC. Other buildings must provide a non-domestic EPC. Public buildings in England must display a Display Energy Certificate.

When Do I Need an EPC?

Yes, if you want to sell your house – the seller must produce a current certificate before the sale can complete
Yes, if you build a house – all new houses must have an EPC issued
Yes, if you’re a landlord and want to rent a property to a new tenant
No, if you’re buying a house – the seller is responsible for the cost
No, if you have a lodger in your home
No, if you’re a tenant renting a property – the landlord is responsible for the cost and for any required energy efficiency improvements

Buildings That Are Exempt and Don't Need an EPC:

Listed buildings
Buildings that are for temporary use of less than two years
Holiday accommodation that’s let for less than four months of the year
Residential buildings that are used for less than four months of the year
A stand-alone building with less than 50 square metres of floor space
Buildings due to be demolished
Workshops and agricultural buildings that don’t use much energy
Places of worship

If you intend to sell or rent out a property you need to get an EPC issued before you can put it on the market. All rental properties must be band E or higher (from 2025, this will increase to band C).

Rating	No. of domestic EPCs	SAP Rating
A	41,212	92+
B	2,506,091	81-91
C	6,322,995	69-80
D	8,575,424	55-68
E	3,591,649	39-54
F	926,764	21-38
G	284,025	1-20

Data up to the end of December 2021, source.

Information is correct at the time of publication: Updated June 2022.

This page is a guide only and not a source of legal information.

How do you get an Energy Performance Certificate?

An EPC can only be issued by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. You can find a local, qualified assessor here through the EPC Register.

What is the EPC register?

The register is a list of all EPCs produced and you can search for an individual certificate either by reference number (shown on the certificate) or by the property address.

If you want to check if a certificate is authentic or search for a property you can access the register here.

Scotland has a separate register here.

How much does a certificate cost?

There is no set fee for an EPC and the price for a certificate to be issued can be as low as £50 or up to £120.

As there is no variation to the certificate, there is no benefit from paying more for an EPC, so searching online will help you find a good deal. Going direct to an assessor is cheaper than through an estate agent – just make sure your assessor is accredited (using the register).

How long is an Energy Performance Certificate valid?

An EPC in England and Wales lasts for ten years unless major work has been undertaken at the property.

You can have your property reassessed at any time, for example, you might have made energy efficiency changes and want the rating to reflect this.

Note, that once you have a new certificate issued it supersedes all previous certificates. So, if your rating goes down you can’t use an older certificate, even if that has not reached the ten-year limit.

You will be charged for every new certificate you have issued.

Does a good EPC rating increase the value of my house?

A certificate reflects investment in energy efficiency. This can be through:

Double or triple glazing.
An energy-efficient boiler.
Cavity wall and loft insulation.
Solar panels or renewable energy systems.

If you have two houses on the same street of the same size, then a house that has double glazing, cavity wall insulation and a new condensing boiler will have a higher valuation than the house that has an old boiler, no central heating or single-glazed windows.

Making a property more energy efficient is an investment in the infrastructure of the building and this will also increase its value.