What Is An EPC And Do I Need One?

An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate and every residential property in the UK is required to have one by law.

What Is An EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a certificate that provides details on the property’s energy efficiency rating and carbon dioxide emissions.

The certificate must be provided by a DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) to be legally valid.

What’s Included In An EPC?

An EPC certificate provides the property’s energy efficiency and environmental impact rating. The rating is based on the structure of the property, including its heating system, window type, and insulation.

A property is rated A-G, with A being the most efficient and G the least.

Alongside the certificate is a Recommendation Report that contains advice on ways to improve the energy efficiency levels of the property and suggestions for reducing its carbon dioxide emissions. The report provides a rating of low, medium and high, to highlight which options are most likely to cut carbon emissions – which helps the property owner to save money by opting for the most effective improvements.

Who Needs To Have An EPC?

Everyone needs to have an EPC certificate for their property if they are selling or renting out or face being fined.

As a guide, it is a legal requirement for:

• All rental properties
• All properties for sale
• Newly built properties
• Buildings undergoing extensions or additional builds that include changes to the heating system

What Are The EPC Requirements?

Currently, the domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations demand that private rented properties have a minimum EPC rating E.

Since 1 April 2020, landlords must let properties with an EPC rating E or above unless there is a valid reason for exemption, such as the improvements needed to make the property compliant are deemed too costly – the Government sets a figure for this..

There are Government proposals that would require domestic properties to have an EPC rating C as a minimum by the end of 2028 for sales or new lettings. We will keep you informed of further developments on this requirement and when it is likely to pass into law.

To speak to one of our professional conveyancing solicitors about getting an EPC certificate for your property, please contact us at our Chorlton office on 0161 860 7123 or email chorlton@hlfberry.com or at our Failsworth office on 0161 681 4005 or email failsworth@hlfberry.com