Energy Performance certificates (EPC) give a property an energy efficiency rating and are valid for ten years. They are needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented and must be completed by an accredited assessor.

Crucially, the UK Government guidance on EPCs must be placed in the context and intertwined with the advice it has provided for the sector during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Guidance for the private rented sector Guidance on home moving

Key points from the UK Government’s EPC guidance:

• Where possible delay the property transaction, and ultimately the EPC assessment until the stay-at-home measures to fight coronavirus are no longer in place.
• If it is not possible to delay the transaction and assessment, and a valid EPC is not available from the EPC Register, an assessment may need to be carried out.
• Where an EPC assessment needs to be carried out, the UK Government’s social distancing measures and guidance for carrying out work in people’s homes must be adhered to.
• EPC assessments can continue where a property is empty.

Importantly, the UK Government’s guidance says that no EPC assessments should take place if any person in a property is showing symptoms of Coronavirus, self-isolating or being shielded.

For property agents, if sorting an EPC is crucial, agents should seek to reschedule the appointment when it is safe to do so in accordance with Government guidelines on staying away from others.

COVID-19 EPC guidance

To help members to further understand the rules for EPCs in relation to exemptions, existing tenancies, property particulars for rent and sales as well as enforcement please see Propertymark’s Primary Authority Advice.

Primary Authority Advice