Landlord Compliance Check

EPC

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): cost, rules and how to book

Energy efficiency rating required to let, market or sell a property in the UK. Rates buildings from A (most efficient) to G (least), valid for 10 years.

Typical UK cost
£45 to £120
Validity
10 years
Legal basis
Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012.

EPC cost calculator

Enter your postcode and property details for an estimated cost band. Figures are aggregated from public data and exclude any remedial work.

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EPC cost by location

Local labour rates and parking conditions push prices up or down. Pick your area for a postcode-aware estimate.

LondonLondon

Estimated cost: £56 to £150

View London guide →

CamdenLondon

Estimated cost: £61 to £162

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HackneyLondon

Estimated cost: £56 to £150

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IslingtonLondon

Estimated cost: £59 to £156

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LambethLondon

Estimated cost: £55 to £146

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SouthwarkLondon

Estimated cost: £55 to £146

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Tower HamletsLondon

Estimated cost: £56 to £150

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WandsworthLondon

Estimated cost: £58 to £154

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WestminsterLondon

Estimated cost: £63 to £168

View Westminster guide →

Kensington and ChelseaLondon

Estimated cost: £65 to £174

View Kensington and Chelsea guide →

Hammersmith and FulhamLondon

Estimated cost: £59 to £156

View Hammersmith and Fulham guide →

HaringeyLondon

Estimated cost: £54 to £144

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Show all 252 locations covered
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EPC explained in depth

EPC ratings A to G, in plain English

An EPC sorts every property into one of seven bands. Band A (92+ SAP points) is the most efficient: new-build flats with excellent insulation, heat pumps or district heating, and low running costs. Band B (81 to 91) and C (69 to 80) cover well-built modern homes and good Victorian or Edwardian properties that have had a thorough retrofit. Band D (55 to 68) is the UK median and is where most stock-condition rental properties sit. Band E (39 to 54) is the legal floor for letting; below this it is unlawful to let the property without a registered exemption. Bands F (21 to 38) and G (1 to 20) are the worst-performing properties, typically solid-wall homes with outdated heating and minimal insulation. The single biggest lever to move a property up the bands is heating: a new A-rated combi or heat pump combined with full insulation typically lifts a band E or D home into band C.

MEES 2028 and 2030: what's changing for landlords

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are about to tighten. The government plans to require EPC band C for new tenancies from 1 April 2028 and for all tenancies from 1 April 2030. A landlord who today lets a band D or E property has roughly two to four years to plan and finance the works. The cost cap is expected to rise from £3,500 to £15,000 per property, with a recoverable allowance for green-finance products. The practical landlord playbook for 2026 to 2027 is: pull every EPC in your portfolio, identify the gap to C, prioritise loft insulation and heating replacement first (the highest score-per-pound measures), schedule capex across two tax years, and keep an evidence file of every certificate, invoice and exemption application. Properties bought during 2026 to 2027 should be priced assuming the new C floor will apply by the time the next tenancy starts.

Commercial EPC vs domestic EPC

Domestic and commercial EPCs both run from A to G but are produced under different regimes. A domestic EPC is generated using the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) by a domestic energy assessor and typically costs £45 to £120. A commercial or non-domestic EPC (NDEA) uses Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) calculations and a different rating scale where A is below 25 SBEM points. Costs for commercial EPCs are higher, usually £150 to £600 for a small retail unit and £1,000 plus for larger buildings or those with complex services. MEES for commercial property currently sets a minimum band E for any letting; the consultation route to band B by 2030 is still in development.

How long an EPC takes from booking to certificate

Most domestic EPCs are produced within three to five working days of the assessor's visit. The site visit itself is 30 to 90 minutes depending on size and complexity. The assessor uploads the data to their accreditation scheme, which lodges the certificate on the central EPC Register at gov.uk. You receive an email with the report reference number and a PDF. The certificate is searchable by postcode within 24 hours of lodging. Plan three to five working days end to end if you are getting an EPC ahead of a new tenancy.

EPC questions landlords ask

Answers to the questions we get most often. Every answer reflects UK law as it stands in 2026.

What is an EPC certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates how energy efficient a property is on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least). It also estimates running costs for heating, hot water and lighting, and lists recommendations for improvement. A qualified domestic energy assessor produces it after a visit lasting around 45 minutes for an average UK home.
Is an EPC legally required to let a property?
Yes. Under the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, a landlord must provide a valid EPC to a prospective tenant before they take up the tenancy, and the rating must be E or higher (with limited exemptions). Letting a property without a valid EPC, or with a rating below E, is unlawful and carries fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £30,000 from April 2025 onwards.
How long does an EPC last?
An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. You can re-commission a new EPC sooner, for example if you make energy efficiency improvements and want the higher rating reflected on the public register. The certificate stays on the EPC Register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate even after expiry.
What is the minimum EPC rating for a rental property in 2026?
The minimum is currently E. Letting a property with a rating of F or G is unlawful unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. The government has confirmed plans to raise the minimum to C for new tenancies from 2028 and for all tenancies from 2030, so landlords should plan improvements now.
How much does an EPC cost?
Expect £45 to £120 for a domestic EPC, with most UK landlords paying £60 to £85. Costs rise with property size, location (London and the South East are typically higher) and the assessor's day rate. Commercial EPCs are more involved and usually cost £150 to £400 depending on the building.
What is MEES and when does the EPC C requirement start?
MEES stands for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. Today, a private rented home must reach EPC band E to be let lawfully. The government has consulted on raising that floor to band C for new tenancies from 1 April 2028 and for all existing tenancies from 1 April 2030. Landlords with properties currently rated D, E, F or G should plan a route to C in their 2026 to 2028 capex budget.
Can I let a property with an EPC F or G?
Only if you have a valid exemption registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Common exemptions include the 'all relevant improvements made' exemption (when every measure with a cost-effective payback has been installed), the 'high cost' exemption (no measure is available under £3,500 inc VAT), and consent-based exemptions where a tenant or third party blocked improvements. Exemptions last up to five years and must be re-registered. Letting an F or G property without an exemption is a civil penalty offence.
How do I improve an EPC rating from D to C?
The high-impact measures for most UK rental properties are: loft insulation to 270mm (£200 to £600), cavity wall insulation if the walls are unfilled (£500 to £1,500), upgrading to a modern A-rated combi or heat pump (£2,500 to £14,000), low-energy lighting throughout (£50 to £200), and a smart heating control (£100 to £300). Solar PV is the single biggest score jumper but the most expensive at £4,500 to £8,000. The assessor's recommendation report on your current EPC lists the measures most likely to lift your specific property by band.
How long does an EPC inspection take?
Around 30 to 60 minutes for a one or two bedroom flat, 45 to 90 minutes for a typical three or four bedroom house, and longer for larger or unusual properties. The assessor measures every room, photographs key elements (boiler, insulation, glazing, lofts), and records the construction, fuel type, heating controls and any renewables.
Who can issue an EPC?
Only an accredited domestic energy assessor (DEA) or non-domestic energy assessor (NDEA) for commercial buildings. Accreditation is via approved schemes such as Elmhurst Energy, Stroma Certification, Quidos, ECMK or NES Ltd. Always confirm the assessor's accreditation number; it appears on the published EPC and on the gov.uk register.
Can I check an EPC for free on the gov.uk register?
Yes. The official EPC Register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate is free to search by postcode or report reference number. The register holds every EPC issued since the system started and is the authoritative source. Always check the register before booking a new EPC, as the previous one may still be valid.
Do I need a new EPC at the start of every tenancy?
No, only if the current EPC has expired (older than 10 years) or has been superseded by a newer one. The same valid EPC can be used across multiple consecutive tenancies for its entire 10-year life. You must provide the tenant with a copy before they sign, and the rating must meet MEES.

What landlords need to know

The EPC is required under Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012. Certificates are valid for 10 years and must be renewed before they expire. Tenants are entitled to a copy when a new tenancy begins or within 28 days of a renewal inspection.

Costs vary by location, property size and the engineer's hourly rate. A two-bedroom flat in central London will typically cost more than a similar property in a regional city, primarily because of travel time and parking. Older properties with outdated wiring or installations may take longer to inspect.

We aggregate cost figures from public data and trade body guidance, then refresh them quarterly. Always confirm the final price with your chosen provider before booking.

Read the full EPC guide →