What is an EPC

A Domestic EPC is a vital component in the Home Information Pack (HIP) which is needed when your house is sold. Landlords also require one when renting properties.

A Commercial EPC is required when a commercial building is sold or marketed to new tenants.

Since October 2008 all properties – homes, commercial and public buildings, when bought, sold, built or rented now need an EPC to comply with EU requirements imposed by the Energy Performance of Buildings directive.

The purpose of the EPC is to show how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate itself is similar in form to that supplied with new domestic appliances such as washing machines and fridges, where an A rating is very efficient and a G rating very inefficient.

An EPC gives prospective buyers and tenants information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building. So they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building.

The EPC will also provide some guidance on how the energy efficiency of the building could be improved to save energy and money.

If you are offering accommodation for sale or let you will need to make an EPC available. An EPC should be provided to a prospective buyer or tenant no later than when a viewing is conducted or when written information is provided about the property and before entering into a contract to sell or let the building.

EPC’s are not required for the following:

• Places of worship.
• Temporary buildings with a planned time of use of less than 2 years.
• Stand alone buildings with a gross internal floor area of 50m2 or less (excludes dwellings)