Do you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to sell or rent out your home? Are you exempt? How much do they cost? How quickly can you get one? And why are they so important? We’ve got all the answers!
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What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ranks properties based on their energy efficiency. Homes with the highest efficiency are awarded an A rating, while the least efficient are given a G rating.
EPCs provide information about the energy use and costs of a property, as well as advice on how to make it more energy-efficient and cheaper to run. This could include anything from installing insulation to changing to energy-saving lightbulbs.
The Certificate also shows the cost associated with making these upgrades and the expected savings on energy bills.
Do I need an EPC for a listed building?
EPCs are not necessary for listed buildings as improvements such as double glazing could change the original features of the building, which is often not allowed. Therefore, these types of buildings do not require energy performance certificates.
When is an Energy Performance Certificate not required?
Exempt from requiring an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) are:
- Holiday accommodation and residential buildings used less than 4 months a year;
- Industrial sites and workshops;
- Structures intended for demolition;
- Edifices meant to be employed for less than 2 years;
- Stand-alone buildings with less than 50 square metres of useful floor area;
- Places of worship, in addition to listed buildings.
How do I check if I already have an Energy Performance Certificate?
Do you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)? It’s been a legal requirement to have one since 2008, so it’s likely your property already has one. Remember, however, that EPCs are only valid for 10 years.
Finding out if your property has a valid EPC is easy. For England and Wales, simply consult the government’s EPC Register. If your property is in Scotland, look at the Scottish EPC Register. And for properties in Northern Ireland, check the Northern Ireland EPC Register.
What if I don’t get an Energy Performance Certificate?
If you're a seller or a landlord, you could be fined up to £5,000 if you don't have an EPC.
How to get an Energy Performance Certificate
If you don’t already have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property, you’ll need to get one before you can sell or let it out. Many people choose to use their estate agent to get an EPC for convenience, though it is usually the more expensive option.
Consider negotiating or getting an EPC independently – you can find local Energy Assessors in your area. This will save you time and effort.
Can I get an EPC online?
You can book an EPC online, however, a physical survey of your home is needed to have one carried out.
How much does an Energy Performance Certificate cost?
An Energy Performance Certificate is priced between £60 and £120. The cost varies based on the size of the property, its location, and the type of building.
How much does an Energy Performance Certificate cost?
An Energy Performance Certificate is priced between £60 and £120. The cost varies based on the size of the property, its location, and the type of building.
How long will my EPC assessment take?
It typically takes about an hour, though this depends on the size of the property.
How long does it take to get an Energy Performance Certificate?
Within a week, you should be able to book an energy performance certificate (EPC) assessment and get the report back in a short amount of time, depending on the firm and its workload. However, it’s best to check this with the company before you commission them.
So, what happens during an EPC assessment? An accredited domestic energy assessor will visit your property and assess its energy efficiency by considering several factors,
- Such as the size of the property,
- The type and amount of insulation used,
- The heating system,
- The type of windows
- The type of lighting.
Does my EPC rating matter?
If you’re renting out your property, it must have a minimum EPC rating of E, unless certain exemptions apply.
The Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill proposed that the minimum EPC rating for new tenancies should be increased to C by 2025, and for all rental properties by 2028, where this is cost-effective, practical and affordable.
The amount landlords need to spend to get their properties up to EPC band E is currently set at £3,500, after which they can register an ‘all improvements made’ exemption. However, under the proposed changes this threshold would rise to £10,000.
In September 2023, the government announced that it would no longer be forcing landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties, but would instead encourage them to do so if they are able.
Even so, there could still be reasons why landlords may wish to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, such as making the property more appealing to potential tenants, as their heating bills would be lower.
What homeowners need to know?
EPC ratings are essential for homeowners too. There are no regulations on the minimum EPC rating you have to have while living in your home.
The lower the band your property is in, the more you’ll likely have to spend on energy bills. JLL’s property consultancy analysis found that a typical household living in a home with a rating of G would pay an alarming £3250 a year more for energy than those in Bands A, B and C.
To encourage homeowners to increase their EPC rating, the Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill includes plans from the government. They want all homes to reach at least an EPC band C by 2035 if it is practical, cost-effective and affordable.
Furthermore, the government wants all mortgage lenders to have an average EPC rating of C by 2030 across their portfolios.
I think my new EPC is wrong – who can I turn to?
If you believe your EPC rating is incorrect or the certificate contains an error, you should first contact the energy assessor who conducted the report.
You can find their details on the energy performance certificate, and you can ask them to re-assess your home based on your concerns.
For instance, if you think they incorrectly recorded the appliances on your EPC, or if they missed an important factor.
If you are unsatisfied with the response, you can appeal to the accreditation scheme the assessor is licensed. You should also be able to find the details on your certificate.
If you have any queries, your first point of contact should be the energy assessor who carried out the report. Should they be unable to help, you can contact the accreditation scheme.
Do I need an EPC after undertaking energy efficiency improvements
You don’t have to, but if you want to boost your rating, we suggest you get an energy performance certificate before making any changes (if you don’t already have one). Afterwards, get another one to monitor the effect of your improvements.
For the best results, use the same assessor or firm for both certificates. That way, any changes in the assessment process or equipment won’t result in a lower rating. Before investing in any home improvements, you can also ask the assessor for their opinion.
How long does an EPC last?
An EPC is valid for a decade from the date of issuance. It may be utilized multiple times during that 10-year time frame, so you don’t have to acquire a new one to sell your property.
Do I need to update my Energy Performance Certificate when selling my house?
If you have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property, you don’t need to update it, but you must make a copy available to potential buyers.
Even if you already have an EPC, you may want to have a new assessment if you have made significant home improvements that are likely to have improved the energy efficiency of the home.
Having a higher energy efficiency rating will reduce utility bills and make the property more attractive to buyers. It is worth getting an updated EPC if you think the property’s rating has improved.
Do you need an EPC to sell a house privately?
Yes, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed for any legal property transaction, whether it is a private sale or going through an estate agent.
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Tips on how to improve EPC rating
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) takes a snapshot of your property’s energy efficiency at a specific moment, so doing anything you can to improve it before the assessment is a must. Here are some of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to do that:
- Change light bulbs. Switch to energy-efficient bulbs throughout your home. This is a fast and easy way to improve your home’s EPC score in an hour or two.
- Add loft insulation. Did you know that a quarter of your home’s heat is lost through the roof without insulation? Adding insulation (or extra insulation if you already have some) will reduce your energy bills and boost your EPC rating.
If you’re willing to invest more time and money in improving your home’s energy efficiency – either to sell it or to benefit from lower bills – these are some of the bigger home improvements to consider:
- Get a new boiler. Boilers become less efficient with age, so a new one might be worth the investment if you want to improve your home’s energy efficiency. A new boiler will cost around £4,000, including parts and labour, but it could make a big difference to your home’s warmth and EPC.
- Invest in double-glazed windows. Double-glazed windows need to be replaced every 15-20 years to remain energy efficient. If yours are older than that, they’re probably not as efficient as they could be. Replacing them is a big financial outlay, but new energy-efficient windows can have a big impact on your bills and carbon emissions.
- Install renewable energy sources. Installing renewable energy sources at your property will make a positive difference to your EPC rating. Solar panels, air-source heat pumps and ground-source heat pumps can all reduce the environmental impact of your home.
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