On the 1st August 2007 the UK government introduced EPC’s in England and Wales as part of the Home Information Packs (HIPS) for domestic properties with 4 or more bedrooms and as time went on the government evolved EPC’s into a requirement for all property, eventually seing HIP packs phased out in May 2010. In 2012, the government made it a legal requirement for all commercial sales and leases to also hold a valid EPC. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that provides information about the energy efficiency of a property. It is often required when a building is constructed, sold, or rented out. Once conducted the reports remain valid for 10 years. All EPC’s can be located on the gov.uk website. The purpose of an EPC is to assess the energy efficiency of a building or property. It includes:

1. Energy Efficiency Rating: The EPC rates the energy efficiency of the property on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides an indication of the property’s overall energy performance. For residential property the government have strict rules and requirements for property being tenanted.
2. Environmental Impact: It also shows the property’s environmental impact in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This section of the certificate provides information on the property’s emissions and its potential for improvement. By 2030 the government wishes to reduce greenhouse gases by as much as 34% and 80% by 2050.
3. Recommendations for Improvement: Additionally, the EPC typically includes recommendations to improve the property’s energy efficiency. These suggestions might involve upgrading insulation, replacing windows, using energy-efficient appliances, or making other alterations to reduce energy consumption and improve the property’s rating. Within the recommendations section they will also point out any potential schemes, including government grants to aid in the improvement of your properties EPC rating.

Commercial property owners will be required to meet a minimum EPC rating of ‘C’ or higher by the 1st April 2027, and a ‘B’ or better by 2030. Some properties are currently exempt from the EPC measures and they include; Listed or protected property whereby the energy performance enhancements would not unnacceptable due to alteration restrictions and also temporary buildings with less than 2 years intended usage.

With energy efficiency being a hot topic on a global scale, it is important to take note and to take action on any properties that you may currently own. It is also equally important that any property developers consider these requirements when building their own property either for their own occupancy or for re-sale.

For more information regarding residential or commercial energy performance certificates, please contact our team of professionals on 0117 251 0563.