Glossary · UK
What is Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
A certificate rating a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), required on sale or rental of most UK residential and commercial buildings.
Full Definition
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that rates the energy efficiency of a building on a scale from A (most efficient, score 92-100) to G (least efficient, score 1-20). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, EPCs are required whenever a property is built, sold or let. Landlords must have a valid EPC before marketing a rental property, and since April 2020 the property must achieve at least an EPC band E to be lawfully let under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) -- with limited exemptions for certain listed buildings or where the cost of improvements exceeds a defined cap. The government has proposed raising the minimum band for new tenancies to C by 2030 (though this remains subject to legislation). An EPC is produced by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) following a visit to the property and is valid for ten years. The certificate shows the current rating and a potential rating that could be achieved by carrying out the recommended improvements listed (such as insulation, a new boiler or solar panels). For buyers, the EPC gives a useful indication of likely energy bills. For landlords or sellers, an EPC rating of A or B can be a genuine marketing advantage. Scotland has its own EPC system but with similar A-G banding.