How to Obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

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1 Obtaining a New EPC

2 Finding an Existing EPC

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Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: December 18, 2020 References

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In the UK, you’re required by law to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before selling or renting out a property. An EPC is used to inform potential buyers or renters about how energy efficient your property is—the more efficient your property is, the better EPC rating you’ll get. Fortunately, whether you’re looking to obtain a new EPC for your property or trying to find an existing EPC for a property, the process is fairly straightforward.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Obtaining a New EPC

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1. 1
   Check if your property requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Not all properties require an EPC by law. You’ll want to verify that your property requires an EPC before you spend the money to obtain one. Properties that don’t require an EPC include:

   • Temporary properties that are designed to be used for 2 years or less.
   • Churches or other places of worship.
   • Residential properties that will only be used for 4 months or less out of the year.
   • To learn other types of property that don’t require an EPC, visit https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates.
2. 2
   Find an accredited EPC assessor. Accredited EPC assessors are responsible for determining how energy efficient a property is and then producing an EPC based on their assessment. It’s important that you work with an EPC assessor that’s accredited—otherwise, your EPC won’t be valid.

   • To find an accredited EPC assessor, visit the EPC Register website at https://www.epcregister.com/searchAssessor.html.
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3. 3
   Schedule a time to have your property assessed. You’ll need to be available for the assessment so you can greet the EPC assessor, show them around the property, and answer any questions they have for you.

   • When you're scheduling your assessment, keep in mind that they can take around 1 hour to complete.
4. 4
   Let the EPC assessor inspect your property. When the EPC assessor arrives, you’ll need to give them keys to your property and show them around. The EPC assessor will need to be able to access every room on the property, so make sure all hallways and doors are clear of obstructions beforehand.

   • During the assessment, your EPC assessor will take photos and measurements of your property. They may also sketch the layout of your property so they have something to reference later on.
5. 5
   Pay the EPC assessor. Costs vary depending on the assessor, but you can expect to pay around £60 to £120.

   • Since different EPC assessors have different rates, you may want to call around for quotes so you can find the cheapest rate.
6. 6
   Wait for your EPC to arrive in the mail. After the EPC assessor inspects your property, they’ll compile all of their data to determine your EPC rating. Once they’ve determined your EPC rating, they’ll send a copy of your EPC in the mail within a few days of your assessment.

   • You may also receive a digital copy of your EPC via email.
   • Your EPC will contain a letter A through G. This letter is your rating—A is the highest rating (meaning very energy efficient) and G is the lowest rating.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Finding an Existing EPC

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1. 1
   Visit the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Register website. The EPC Register website is the official website for EPC-related inquiries and requests. You can find a copy of an existing EPC through the EPC Register.

   • You can find the EPC Register website at https://www.epcregister.com/home.html.
2. 2
   Enter the Report Reference Number (RRN) for the existing EPC. An RNN is a 24-digit number that’s assigned to an EPC when it’s created. Once you visit the EPC Register website, you can enter the RRN for the EPC you’re trying to access to pull up a copy of the EPC.

   • You can find the RRN by contacting the energy assessor that produced the EPC or by locating the number on the front of the existing EPC.
3. 3
   Enter the property address if you don’t have the RNN. If you can’t find the RNN, you can still look up an existing EPC for a property using the property address. To do this, click on the tab on the left of the EPC Register website that says “Retrieve Report Using Property Address.”

   • You’ll be asked to enter the property postcode. If you don’t have the property postcode, you can enter the property street and post town instead.
4. 4
   Save and print a copy of the EPC. After you enter the RNN or property address on the EPC Register website, you’ll be presented with a digital copy of the EPC. You can save the copy to your computer and print it for future reference.
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Tips

• If you’re building, selling, or renting a property, make sure you obtain an EPC before you start marketing the property to potential buyers or renters.
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• EPCs are valid for 10 years.
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