Do I Need an EPC When Selling My Home?

What is an EPC or Energy Performance Certificate?

In short, an EPC is an asset rating that tells you how energy efficient your property currently is and what impact it has on the environment as a result.

If you’re preparing to sell your property, making sure you have a valid EPC in place early can help avoid delays once your home goes on the market.

What type of EPC do I need?

The type of EPC required varies depending on whether your property is commercial or domestic.

For domestic housing, or a self-contained dwelling as it is classed by the government, you will require a domestic EPC. The type of EPC may also vary depending on whether your property is an existing home or a new build.

How are EPC energy ratings measured?

The energy performance of your property is measured on a scale of A–G, with A being the most energy efficient. The average rating in the UK for an existing property is usually around a D. Anything lower than this means your property’s CO₂ footprint starts to increase.

Once your energy assessment is complete, you will receive recommendations on how to improve your property’s energy efficiency rating along with your EPC certificate. Not only can this help reduce your home’s environmental footprint, but it may also save you money on energy bills.

How do I get an EPC and how much does it cost?

An EPC can be obtained by using a government-accredited energy assessor to assess your property and produce the certificate. Each accredited assessor is issued with an identity card, so be sure to ask to see this if you have any concerns when they visit your property.

The assessor will also record your assessment on the national EPC register. Only EPCs found on this register are valid. If you are unable to find one for your address, it is likely that your property does not currently have a valid EPC. If you believe it should, you should contact the company that carried out the assessment.

According to uSwitch, an EPC can cost up to £120 + VAT, depending on how it is arranged. With Emoov, an EPC costs £110 including VAT. As with most services, it pays to shop around, and it is often cheaper to approach an assessor directly rather than through a traditional estate agent.

That is, of course, unless your estate agent is Emoov. As part of our service, we offer the option of adding an EPC assessment to your listing package for £110 including VAT.

Why is this better than going direct?

All of our assessors nationwide are fully qualified to carry out EPC assessments and produce certificates.

When they visit your home to compile the floor plan and take property photos, they can also complete your EPC assessment at the same time. This means everything can be done in one visit, saving you time and avoiding the need to wait around for a separate external assessor.

Do I need an EPC to sell my house?

The short answer is yes. An EPC is required by law when you build, sell, or rent a property.

Failure to provide one can result in a fine, although the only positive note is that by using Emoov, you may have saved enough on fees to cover it.

How long does an EPC last?

An EPC lasts for up to 10 years, and a property can be marketed immediately once the certificate has been commissioned.

However, if the property is removed from the market for four weeks or longer and the EPC expires during that time, you will need to renew it before the property can be remarketed.

If you have recently had an EPC assessment carried out, you should not need to worry about arranging another one for quite some time.

Check if your property needs an EPC

If you are unsure whether your property already has a valid EPC, it’s worth checking before putting it on the market to avoid delays.

Summary:

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how energy efficient a property is and is a legal requirement when selling a home. It helps buyers understand potential running costs and highlights where improvements could be made.

Knowing what an EPC is, when it’s required, and how to arrange one can help you avoid delays, stay compliant with the law, and keep your sale moving smoothly.

If you’re at an early stage and want to understand your potential sale price, you may also find it useful to start with a free online house valuation.

Useful links

• Sell your property with Emoov
• How to value your property online
• How to add value to your home before selling
• Get a free online house valuation