How to get a rental property assessed for an EPC

An EPC is an overview of the energy efficiency of your property. It uses colour-coded ratings from A to G, with A coloured in green as the most energy efficient, right down to G, red and the least efficient. This provides an at-a-glance summary of how the property is currently performing versus its potential output levels.

While the rating system runs from A to G, this all changed for landlords renting out private properties in 2018 when the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) were introduced. MEES cuts off the lowest rating a property for rent can be at E. Landlords aren't allowed to rent out any properties coming in at F or G.

The minimum rating is due to rise from E to C in 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for all tenancies.

So, if your property is currently an F or G rating, you or the landlord you are representing will need to make improvements to raise the rating to E. The most landlords are required to spend on these improvements is £3,500. If it costs more, landlords can apply for an exemption.

The EPC is designed to give a rough estimate of how much heat and lighting bills will cost. It also covers how much CO₂ the property emits.

The closer the property is to an ' A' rating, the less your tenants will have to pay for their energy bills. So, perhaps most importantly for the people you rent to, the inclusion of the 'current' and 'potential' indicators on the EPC means that your tenants can work out what steps they need to take to improve the rating to reach the 'potential' level. This, in turn, will help to reduce their bills. 

There are a few reasons why you need an EPC for your rental property. These are:

It is a legal requirement

Landlords in England and Wales have had to legally provide a valid EPC to all prospective tenants since 1 October 2008 and 2009 in Scotland.

It can be useful

Knowing how energy efficient your property is can be helpful in a couple of ways:

You can see where there is room for improvement and can use this to update the property. Secondly, it also allows you to potentially attract more interest from prospective tenants, especially if you have a good rating, as they're likely to see the financial benefits of moving into a property with a good energy rating.

It can help the environment

We are all trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle. You can use the EPC to gauge how much energy is consumed in your property and where there is room for improvement.

You may not be able to evict your tenant if you don't have an EPC

You'll need to have this in place before your tenants move in and ensure you give a copy to your tenants before they move into the property. Otherwise, this could invalidate a Section 21 notice should you wish to evict your tenants in the future. Since 2008 (2009 in Scotland), it's been a legal requirement for landlords to have one of these to show to potential tenants.

The type of property you are renting will influence how many EPCs you will need. For example, if you are renting out an individual house or flat, you'll need one EPC for the property. However, if you are renting out a series of self-contained flats, you will need an EPC for each flat.

Shared houses require one EPC, while any bedsits or room lets with individual tenancies for each room do not need one.

It's worth working out where your property falls within the requirements to assess whether your property is exempt.

EPCs are valid for ten years from the date listed on the 'date of certificate' section, which you'll find in the top left-hand corner of the EPC. Therefore, if it's possible to boost the property's energy efficiency before you get assessed, that would be the best option.

If you don't have a copy of the current EPC or you need to check it, you can view it online on the EPC Registers website. This is where current EPCs are stored. Select 'Report Retrieval', and you can find instructions that take you to the current EPC for your property.

The cost of an EPC varies, and there is no fixed fee. The amount you pay for it will depend on how many bedrooms the property has and what type of property it is, amongst other factors. You might find that the price depends on the area, too.

You might find that prices in your area start from £30; however, if you rent out a large detached house in a big city like London, you'll possibly pay more than if you're letting a flat in a smaller location.

To get an EPC, you will need to find a registered domestic energy assessor on the EPC Register. This assessor will be able to review your rental property. You can also check their credentials on the EPC register site to ensure they have the correct qualifications to carry out the assessment. Alternatively, you can speak to your managing agent, who should be able to organise this essential assessment for you. Once you have completed the request for an assessor, they will visit the property and carry out a standard assessment procedure (SAP), which will result in the EPC rating between A to G being given.