Selling Your Home
An EPC is a legal requirement before a residential property can be marketed for sale. The certificate must be in place before the first advertisement goes live, not once a buyer has been found. If your existing EPC is more than ten years old, it needs renewing before marketing can begin.
Renting Out a Property
A valid EPC is required for every rented property and must be provided to prospective tenants before they sign an agreement. Under current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), rental properties must reach at least an E rating. Properties rated F or G cannot legally be let without a registered exemption. Government proposals would require all rented properties to reach a C rating by 2030. Getting an accurate assessment now tells you exactly where you stand. See our landlord EPC page for more detail.
Remortgaging or Applying for a Green Mortgage
Many lenders now request a current EPC as part of a remortgage application, particularly if the certificate is several years old. Having one ready avoids delays to the application. Green mortgage products offer preferential rates for energy-efficient homes and typically require the property to be rated C or above. An up-to-date EPC is the starting point for any of these financial applications.