What is an EPC (energy performance certificate)?
Key takeaways
- An energy performance certificate rates a property's energy efficiency from A (best) to G (worst), as well as recommended improvements.
- It is a legal requirement when selling, renting (landlords must have an EPC with a minimum rating of E), or building a home in the UK.
- EPCs are valid for ten years and cost between £60–£120 to obtain from an accredited assessor.
What is an EPC (energy performance certificate)?
An energy performance certificate (EPC) shows how energy-efficient a property is and makes recommendations to improve it.
If you’re selling or renting a property, you’ll need a valid EPC certificate issued within the last ten years so potential buyers or tenants know how much they can expect to spend on heating and lighting the property before committing to it.
EPC ratings
An EPC rating is a score that measures how energy-efficient a property is. EPC ratings run from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient) with points scores corresponding to the lettered ratings.
| EPC rating | Points score |
|---|---|
| A | 92-100 points |
| B | 81-91 points |
| C | 69-80 points |
| D | 55-68 points |
| E | 39-54 points |
| F | 21-38 points |
| G | 1-20 points |
What can an EPC tell me about my property?
As well as scores for your property’s current and potential energy ratings, EPCs also recommend improvements.
These suggested upgrades can increase energy efficiency and make the property more attractive to potential buyers, as well as saving you money while you’re living there.
These can include adding insulation (including loft and roof insulation, floor insulation and wall insulation), fitting double glazing, updating your boiler or adding solar panels.
Who produces energy reports and EPCs?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, EPC certificates can only be produced by accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA). For more details, visit the gov.uk website.
In Scotland, Energy Performance Certificates can only be produced by government-approved organisations and issued by RICS-registered chartered surveyors. Find out more about the EPC process in Scotland.
How to get an EPC
If you need an Energy Performance Certificate for your home, you can visit the Landmark website to find a registered domestic assessor in your area.
You can also search through the EPC certificate ratings of other properties in your area for free. This will help you compare your property’s rating to others in the area - all you need is the postcode.
What happens during the EPC assessment?
A domestic energy assessor will visit the property and take into consideration several factors to determine how energy-efficient your house is.
The assessor will need access to the entire property and will take photographs and measurements. Their checks will include:
- The lighting used, including how many low-energy light bulbs are fitted in the property
- The overall size of the property
- The type of insulation used and how much it is used throughout the building
- The heating systems located on the property, including working fireplaces
- The type of windows used throughout the house.
Most domestic EPC assessments take about an hour to complete.
Can I get an EPC certificate online?
You can't get an EPC online because an assessor has to visit the property to make their judgment. You can't fully judge how energy-efficient a building might be by looking at pictures of it.
You can look up EPC ratings online, but you won't be able to commission an EPC inspection online.
How much do EPCs cost?
It costs between £60 and £120 to get your property on the EPC register. Since costs vary, it is worth shopping around and comparing a few different quotes, as long as you make sure your assessor is registered.
Can an EPC save me money?
As well as telling you what measures to undertake, new EPCs detail the potential cost of upgrading your heating, lighting and water.
They also tell you the savings you can make on your bills after you’ve made the upgrades, to give you a cost comparison.
You’ll also be able to see the total savings you could make on your property and the EPC certificate rating you’ll receive after the upgrades.
Does my property need an Energy Performance Certificate?
If you're looking to sell or rent your property then you need an Energy Performance Certificate.
However, even if you’re not intending to sell your property, getting an EPC is a cheap and quick way to assess the energy-saving potential of your property.
Bear in mind that a lot of newer properties may already have an Energy Performance Certificate, and may also be very energy-efficient.
Prospective landlords looking to rent their property must also have an EPC available for tenants to view. If they fail to produce one, they could face a fine.
Do I need an EPC if I’m buying or renting?
By law, landlords and letting agents are responsible for providing an Energy Performance Certificate for any properties they put up for rent.
If you are renting a property, you are not required to order an EPC. However, you should ask the agent or landlord to show you a valid EPC before you sign a tenancy agreement.
If you weren’t aware of this and have already moved into a rental property, you can still ask your letting agent or landlord to see the property's EPC. If they fail to produce a valid EPC, you can make a complaint to your local Trading Standards office. If your landlord or letting agent fails to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate, they may face a fine.
How do I get a copy of my EPC?
If you live in rented accommodation you can get a copy of your Energy Performance Certificate by contacting your landlord or letting agent.
If you own the property or would rather get your EPC without contacting your landlord, you can visit the EPC Register website, which stores existing certificates and allows you to check whether an EPC inspector is properly accredited.
To get a copy of the report, you’ll need the Report Reference Number (RNN) or you can search with the property postcode.
“While an EPC is a legal requirement if you're planning to sell or rent your property, it's also worth getting one if you're just intending to live in the property.
They'll tell you where you can make improvements to improve your rating, so it could be worth paying the relatively small fee for your EPC assessment as a first step to making your home more energy-efficient.”
Which buildings are not legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate?
While most buildings are legally required to have an EPC, there are exemptions. These include:
- Some listed buildings where certain minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance
- Some buildings in conservation areas
- Places of worship
- Holiday properties that are rented out less than four months per year
- Some buildings that are scheduled to be demolished
- Residential properties that are intended to be used for less than four months a year
- Buildings that stand alone with less than 50 square metres of floor space
- Temporary buildings that will only be used for up to two years.
For the full list of exempt buildings, see the government’s dedicated EPC site.
New EPC rules for landlords
There are no new EPC regulations for landlords in 2026 to worry about, but both Westminster and Scottish governments are planning new regulations to raise the MEES of all rented properties to lift over one million renters out of fuel poverty. Key proposals for England and Wales include:
- All new properties being put out for tenancy must have an EPC C rating or higher from 2028
- In 2030, all tenancies must adhere to the EPC C minimum rating.
In the meantime, the existing regulations continue to apply: your home must have a valid EPC before it can be let, and it must be given to the tenant. In addition, since April 2020, homes in England and Wales must meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) whereby the EPC rating is E or better, unless a valid exemption is registered. No such requirement currently exists in Scotland.
The question of whether you need an EPC for an existing tenancy that’s being renewed isn’t as clear cut, but it’s a good idea to keep the EPC valid to avoid possible arguments, which means renewing it every 10 years.
If you fail to comply with these new rules, then you will be fined or banned from letting out your properties.
How to improve your EPC rating
As a landlord, energy efficiency is no longer something you can ignore. The following step-by-step guide will help you lift your rented property to an EPC C rating in a cost-effective manner:
1. Get an Energy Performance Certificate for the property if you haven’t already. This will provide a score to indicate how far off compliance your property is, along with recommended improvements to lift the property to an EPC C rating.
2. Calculate how many points you’re off, then choose appropriate improvements to raise your rating to the required amount. For example:
| Improvement | Rough cost* | Potential boost to EPC score |
|---|---|---|
| Insulate a previously uninsulated roof with 270mm | £900 | 10-15 points |
| Install wall cavity insulation | £1,000-£4,500 | 5-10 points |
| Insulate your hot water tank | £20-30 | 1.5-2 points |
| Replacing old boiler with new A-rated condensing gas boiler | £3,700 | 4-23 points |
*Costs from Energy Saving Trust and Checkatrade.
3. If you’re planning to rent out an older (pre-1919) home, check out our guide to making a Victorian house more energy efficient.
4. Once the upgrades have been installed, get a fresh EPC assessment and rating.
Are there grants or funding options for landlords?
There are various financial support schemes landlords may be able to tap into to help fund any required energy efficiency improvements. Some, like Warm Homes: Local grants, are aimed at private renters who can apply with your permission for free or discounted improvements.
However, there are also schemes where you can apply directly for support, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which pays £7,500 towards the cost of installing a heat pump for property owners, including landlords. Check eligibility and apply through GOV.UK.
In addition, you can benefit from 0% VAT on installing energy-saving materials, including insulation and solar panels, until 31 March 2027.
Energy efficiency in new build homes
Even though regulations requiring new-build homes to be low carbon were scrapped in 2016, existing building regulations mean that newer homes tend to be more energy efficient.
EPC ratings in new builds
According to official government statistics, 88% of new-build homes in England were rated A or B in April-June 2025. A clear majority of homes built since 1990 have an EPC of A, B or C (86%) – this compares to just 23% of homes built before 1919.
According to industry body the Home Builders Federation, the average EPC rating of a new-build home is 86, the equivalent of a B rating.
Common new build energy-efficient features
New builds gain high EPC ratings by implementing some or all of the following measures during construction:
- Loft, wall and floor insulation
- Double or triple glazed windows
- More efficient heating systems, such as heat pumps
- Solar panels and battery storage to help generate more electricity and reduce bills.
Are new build houses always warmer and cheaper to heat?
The design of new build homes and the desire of the government to build more energy-efficient homes means that new builds tend to be much warmer to live in than older properties. According to the Home Builders Federation, a new house’s energy bill is also 57% less. However, it’s worth noting that this is based on an ideal scenario, with many figures based on the design of a house as opposed to the actual build itself.
FAQs
Can a property fail an EPC inspection?
It’s not technically possible to fail an EPC inspection, but it is possible for a property to be given a rating of G, which is the lowest rating and indicates that the property is extremely energy-inefficient.
Any property rated G would need to take major steps to improve the rating to at least E, which is the minimum rating specified under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
What are the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards?
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) came into force on 1 April 2018 and set new energy efficiency regulations for privately rented properties throughout the UK. It is designed to highlight low standards of energy efficiency in properties in a bid to get landlords to take measures to raise them.
With the MEES in force, the lowest rating a privately rented property is allowed to achieve is an E - anything rated at F or G is not allowed to be rented out.
The landlord will be required to make these improvements to bring a property’s rating up to E but can only spend a maximum of £3,500. If the property cannot be improved to that point without spending more than £3,500, they will be able to apply for an exemption.
Are there EPC exemptions for landlords of residential properties?
Yes, but EPC exemptions list entries must be registered, and each has a limited lifespan -typically five years - before they must be renewed or addressed. Some examples include:
- All relevant improvements made: you’ve spent up to £3,500 (including VAT) on energy efficiency measures, but it’s still below the EPC E standard
- High cost: no improvement can be made to the property for under £3,500 (including VAT)
- Wall insulation: if insulating the walls of your property would negatively impact its fabric or structure
- Third-party consent: required consent from another party, such as a tenant or planning department, is not forthcoming
- Temporary exemption due to recently becoming a landlord: a six-month exemption is possible in certain circumstances if you’ve recently become a landlord.
Visit GOV.UK for detailed guidance, eligibility criteria and information on how to register.
What isn't covered by an EPC?
Your Energy Performance Certificate doesn’t factor in the number of people in the property or the running costs of appliances. This includes washing machines, TVs, ovens and fridge-freezers, for example.
Read the Uswitch guide to which appliances use the most energy.
What's the average domestic property EPC rating?
According to the latest UK energy saving statistics, the average EPC of homes in England and Wales is D.
