Energy Performance Certificate - EPC

An Energy Performance Certificate is part of a Home Information Pack.

The certificates are commissioned by the seller (or their agent) from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate.

This data includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings

Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.

The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs  which includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.

Most sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.

By October 2008 all buildings, whenever they are built, sold or rented out, will require one. So this will include landlords who let their property. The EPC will be valid for 10 years.

Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.

Rented Property Energy Performance Certificates

From 1 October 2008, if you are renting out your property, you will need to provide a certificate to any prospective tenant. There is no need to obtain a Energy Performance Certificate for an existing tenancy. Once obtained, a certificate remains valid for up to 10 years.  No new EPC is required if the tenants change.