A domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a home's energy efficiency from A to G and is needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented. It is valid for 10 years. Rented homes must currently be band E or above, and band C has been confirmed for all tenancies from 1 October 2030. BritCertify EPCs cost from £89 inc. VAT, usually emailed the same day.
What is an EPC and when do you need one in London?
An Energy Performance Certificate is the official record of how energy efficient a home is, graded from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). You need a valid EPC whenever a property is built, sold or rented, and it must be given to prospective buyers or tenants.
A domestic EPC is valid for 10 years. Alongside the headline rating, it shows estimated running costs, the property’s potential rating and a list of recommended improvements. Estate and letting agents will normally ask for it before they market a property.
EPCs are produced by accredited Domestic/Non-Domestic Energy Assessors (Elmhurst / Stroma accreditation schemes). For a home, a Domestic Energy Assessor visits, surveys the property and lodges the certificate on the national EPC register. If you sell or let offices, shops or other business premises, you need a commercial EPC instead.
What EPC rating does a rented home need: band E now, band C from 2030?
Today, privately rented homes in England and Wales must be rated E or above unless a valid exemption is registered. In January 2026 the government confirmed that the minimum will rise to band C for all tenancies from 1 October 2030.
The current rule comes from the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, usually called MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards). Local authorities can impose penalties of up to £5,000 per property.
| When | Minimum rating for private lets | What it means for landlords |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Band E | F and G rated homes cannot be let unless a valid exemption is registered |
| 2027 (target) | Legislation for band C | Detailed rules on the cost cap and exemptions expected |
| 1 October 2030 | Band C for all tenancies | Spending capped at £10,000 per property, or 10% of the property’s value if lower |
The cap matters in London, where many rented homes are in Victorian and Edwardian buildings with solid brick walls. These can be expensive to lift to band C, so knowing your current score, and the cheapest route to C, lets you plan works around void periods rather than rushing in 2030. Our guide to EPC band C by 2030 for London landlords covers the planning side in more depth.
Is the EPC itself changing in 2027?
Yes. The government plans a new-format domestic EPC built on the Home Energy Model, and on 9 March 2026 it announced that the launch has moved to the second half of 2027. Existing EPCs remain valid for their full 10-year term.
The new certificates are designed to show several headline metrics instead of a single letter: fabric performance, the heating system, smart readiness and energy cost. Until the new format goes live, every EPC is produced under the current method. If you are selling, starting a tenancy or planning improvements, there is no benefit in waiting: you need a valid certificate now, and it stays valid after the changeover.
What does the energy assessor measure during an EPC visit?
The assessor records the physical features that drive energy use: the size of the home, how it is built and insulated, how it is heated, and how hot water and lighting are provided. The survey is visual and non-invasive, so nothing is drilled, lifted or removed.
| Element | What the assessor records |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Floor area and room heights on each storey, including extensions and loft rooms |
| Walls | Construction (solid brick, cavity, timber frame, system build) and any insulation |
| Roof and loft | Roof type and depth of loft insulation, where the hatch is safely accessible |
| Floors | Suspended timber or solid floor, and whether it is insulated |
| Windows | Single, double or secondary glazing and the approximate age of the units |
| Heating | Boiler or heater type, fuel, and controls such as a programmer, room thermostat and TRVs |
| Hot water | Combi, cylinder or electric system, and the cylinder’s insulation |
| Lighting and renewables | Share of low-energy lighting, plus any solar panels or heat pump |
Evidence makes a real difference. Where the assessor cannot see or verify a feature, the software falls back on typical values for the property’s age, which are often worse than reality. Keep paperwork for cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, replacement windows or a new boiler ready for the visit. On London jobs we regularly meet top-floor flats where the loft hatch is on a communal landing or inside a neighbour’s flat, so arrange that access in advance if you can.
What do the EPC bands A to G mean?
Each band covers a range of energy efficiency scores calculated by the assessment software. The higher the score, the cheaper the home should be to heat and power.
| Band | Score range |
|---|---|
| A | 92 and above |
| B | 81–91 |
| C | 69–80 |
| D | 55–68 |
| E | 39–54 |
| F | 21–38 |
| G | 1–20 |
Band C starts at 69, so a home scoring in the mid-60s may need only one or two measures, while a home at the bottom of band E usually needs a combination.
How can you improve your EPC rating before 2030?
Start with the low-cost measures the assessment rewards, then plan the bigger fabric and heating upgrades. The recommendations section of your EPC lists the measures most likely to help that specific property.
- Heating controls: a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves are inexpensive and are recorded in the assessment.
- Low-energy lighting: replace remaining halogen and old-style bulbs with LEDs throughout.
- Hot water cylinder: add a factory-fitted or thicker insulation jacket and a cylinder thermostat if one is missing.
- Loft insulation: topping up a thin layer is one of the most cost-effective measures in houses and top-floor flats.
- Cavity wall insulation: relevant to many 1930s and post-war houses in outer London; keep the installer’s guarantee.
- Boiler upgrade: replacing an old non-condensing boiler with a modern condensing model can move the rating noticeably.
- Glazing: double glazing, or secondary glazing where conservation area or listed building rules restrict new windows.
- Solid wall insulation, heat pumps or solar PV: larger projects that often need freeholder consent or planning advice in London.
Order matters. Insulation reduces the heat a home needs, so it is usually sensible to improve the fabric before replacing the heating. If you are planning a boiler replacement, book a fresh EPC afterwards so the improved rating is on record.
How much does an EPC cost in London and how quickly do you get it?
A domestic EPC from BritCertify costs from £89 inc. VAT for a one to three bedroom property, rising with size up to six bedrooms. The certificate is lodged on the national register and emailed to you, usually the same day as the visit.
The assessor needs access to every room, the loft hatch, the boiler and any hot water cylinder. If the property is tenanted, give your tenant notice and share any access instructions when you book.
Do landlords need an EPC for the Private Rented Sector Database?
Yes. Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, landlords must register each rented property on the new Private Rented Sector Database and provide the most recent EPC, along with the gas safety record and the electrical report. Registration for London opens on 15 July 2027 and the deadline is 14 October 2027, with an annual fee of £65 per property.
If your EPC is close to expiry or your rating is borderline, renewing it before you register means the database holds a certificate you can rely on. You can add an EPC to our landlord gas and electrical bundle so all three documents are current together. The government’s Get ready to register page explains the process.
Domestic EPC prices in London (inc. VAT)
| Option | Price (inc. VAT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 bedroom property | £89 | Flats, maisonettes and houses |
| 4 bedroom property | £99 | Including loft conversions and extensions |
| 5 bedroom property | £109 | Larger houses and converted HMOs let as one unit |
| 6 bedroom property | £119 | Ask us for anything larger |
All prices include VAT and cover the visit, lodgement on the national register and a digital copy. Central London parking or Congestion Charge may be added. We always confirm before booking.
Book this serviceWhat's included
- Visit by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor
- Survey of walls, roof, floors, glazing, heating, hot water and lighting
- EPC lodged on the national register, valid for 10 years
- Digital copy emailed, usually the same day
- Recommended improvements with the potential rating
- Plain-English pointers on MEES band E and the band C target
How it works
Book your EPC
Tell us the address, number of bedrooms and access arrangements. We confirm the price inc. VAT and any central London parking charge before booking.
Assessor visit
An accredited assessor measures the home and records walls, roof, windows, heating, hot water and lighting, with photos as evidence.
Lodged on the register
The assessment is calculated and lodged on the national EPC register, where agents, buyers and tenants can view it.
Certificate and advice
You receive the EPC by email, usually the same day, with recommended improvements and the rating they could achieve.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): frequently asked questions
How long is an EPC valid for?
A domestic EPC is valid for 10 years from the date it is lodged. You do not need a new one for every tenancy while it is in date. However, if you have made improvements such as a new boiler or insulation, a fresh EPC is worth booking because the old certificate will not reflect them, and your rating matters for MEES compliance.
Can I let my London flat if the EPC rating is F or G?
No, not unless a valid exemption is registered. Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, privately rented homes must be rated E or above, and local authorities can impose penalties of up to £5,000 per property. If your flat is rated F or G, the EPC recommendations show which improvements are most likely to lift it.
How will the £10,000 cost cap work for band C?
The government has confirmed that privately rented homes must reach band C for all tenancies from 1 October 2030, with a landlord cost cap of £10,000 per property, or 10% of the property's value if that is lower. The detailed rules, including how exemptions will apply once the cap is reached, are expected in legislation targeted for 2027.
Will the new EPC format in 2027 make my current certificate invalid?
No. The government announced on 9 March 2026 that new-format EPCs based on the Home Energy Model will launch in the second half of 2027, and existing EPCs remain valid for their full 10-year term. If you need an EPC to sell, let or plan improvements now, book one now rather than waiting for the new format.
Do I need to be at the property for the EPC visit?
Not necessarily. The assessor needs access to every room, the loft hatch, the boiler and any hot water cylinder, so a tenant, neighbour or letting agent can let them in. It helps if someone can point out where the meters and loft hatch are, and leave paperwork for insulation, glazing or boiler upgrades so they can be counted.
Should I get a new EPC after installing a new boiler or insulation?
Usually, yes. An EPC records the property as it was on the day of the assessment, so improvements made afterwards will not show until a new certificate is lodged. If you are a landlord working towards band C, a new EPC after each major upgrade confirms your progress and gives tenants, agents and the Private Rented Sector Database an accurate rating.
Sources and official guidance
Written and checked by the BritCertify technical team. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.