{"id":6566,"date":"2023-05-29T19:21:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-29T19:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.credit-score.com\/blog\/?p=6566"},"modified":"2023-06-03T18:17:23","modified_gmt":"2023-06-03T18:17:23","slug":"what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an Energy Performance Certificate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you sell or rent a home, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be required to indicate the property&#8217;s energy efficiency. EPCs were introduced in 2007 and remain valid for 10 years. You must obtain an EPC under UK law. This article explains the EPC process and how to obtain one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">What&#039;s Included?<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#What_is_an_EPC_rating_and_what_does_it_mean\" >What is an EPC rating, and what does it mean?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#What_other_information_does_the_EPC_show\" >What other information does the EPC show?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#How_to_find_out_what_your_EPC_rating_is\" >How to find out what your EPC rating is<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#How_is_an_EPC_rating_calculated\" >How is an EPC rating calculated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#How_much_does_it_cost_to_get_an_EPC_rating\" >How much does it cost to get an EPC rating?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#How_to_improve_your_EPC_rating\" >How to improve your EPC rating<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/what-is-an-energy-performance-certificate\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-an-epc-rating-and-what-does-it-mean\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_an_EPC_rating_and_what_does_it_mean\"><\/span><strong>What is an EPC rating, and what does it mean?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Properties are evaluated for their energy efficiency on a scale ranging from A to G. A rating of A indicates the highest energy efficiency. In contrast, a G rating implies low energy efficiency leading to higher fuel bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The certificate uses shades of green to indicate A-C ratings, yellow for the middle rating of D, and shades of orange for E and F ratings, while G ratings are displayed in red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The energy efficiency rating of a property is indicated by a number between 1-100 on the arrow. A higher number signifies better energy efficiency, while a lower number implies the opposite. The certificate also displays the possible rating if you implement the recommended improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since April 2018, it has been illegal to rent out a property that doesn&#8217;t meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES), which requires rental properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In England and Wales, there are new regulations that apply to almost all privately rented properties. Landlords who fail to comply with these regulations could face fines of up to \u00a34,000. To meet the minimum standard of E or higher for energy efficiency, you&#8217;ll need to improve your property, such as proper insulation to prevent heat loss through walls and roof and adding new seals to windows or doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-other-information-does-the-epc-show\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_other_information_does_the_EPC_show\"><\/span><strong>What other information does the EPC show?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The EPC provides information about a property&#8217;s energy efficiency rating and estimated energy costs for lighting, heating, and hot water over three years. It also suggests potential energy savings if the property is made more efficient and a list of recommended actions, such as installing low-energy lighting or high-heat retention storage heaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, the report includes a summary of the energy efficiency characteristics of the property and their rating on a scale of zero to five stars. The language used for the report is English (Great Britain).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-find-out-what-your-epc-rating-is\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_find_out_what_your_EPC_rating_is\"><\/span><strong>How to find out what your EPC rating is<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To find out your property&#8217;s EPC rating, you can search for it on the EPC register. If your property doesn&#8217;t have an EPC rating, you&#8217;ll have to hire an accredited assessor to visit and produce a certificate. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can look for an assessor on the EPC register. However, if you live in Scotland, you must search on the Scottish EPC register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-is-an-epc-rating-calculated\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_an_EPC_rating_calculated\"><\/span><strong>How is an EPC rating calculated?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During an EPC rating assessment, the assessor will evaluate features of your home, such as windows, roof insulation, and lighting, to determine the property&#8217;s energy efficiency. Your home will earn points for each energy-efficient feature. After the assessment, the assessor will use software to calculate the energy rating and produce a certificate. A top A rating requires 92-100 points, while the least efficient homes with a G rating receive only 1-20 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-an-epc-rating\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_does_it_cost_to_get_an_EPC_rating\"><\/span><strong>How much does it cost to get an EPC rating?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) depends on the location of your property and its size. The price range generally starts from \u00a335 and can go up to \u00a3120 or higher. Getting quotes from two or three different assessors before committing is advisable to ensure you get the best deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-improve-your-epc-rating\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_improve_your_EPC_rating\"><\/span><strong>How to improve your EPC rating<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Improving your EPC rating can be achieved by making your home more energy efficient through various methods. Some examples include upgrading your old and inefficient boiler to a condensing boiler, fitting cavity and roof insulation, and installing double glazing. Having low-energy lighting throughout your property can also positively impact your EPC rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">1. What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a certificate that confirms how energy-efficient your property is. It is required if you&#8217;re selling your house or flat \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">2. How much does an EPC cost?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>The cost of an EPC varies depending on the size of your property and where you live. The average cost of an EPC in England is around \u00a360 \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">3. How long does an EPC last?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>An EPC lasts for 10 years \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">4. What does an EPC contain?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>An EPC contains information about your property&#8217;s energy use and typical energy costs, as well as recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">5. Who can produce an EPC?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>An EPC can only be produced by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">6. When do I need an EPC?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>You need an EPC if you&#8217;re selling your house or flat \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">7. How do I get an EPC?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>You can get an EPC from a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-7-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">8. What happens if I don&#8217;t have an EPC when selling my property?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-7-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t have an EPC when selling your property, you could be fined up to \u00a35,000 \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-8-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">9. Can I improve my property&#8217;s energy efficiency rating?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-8-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>Yes, you can improve your property&#8217;s energy efficiency rating by making changes such as installing loft insulation or double glazing \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-9-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">10. What are the penalties for not having an EPC?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-9-197ab486-28c7-466b-883e-fc07e72d1725\">\n\n<p>The penalty for not having an EPC when selling your property can be up to \u00a35,000 \u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">EPC certificates explained &#8211; Which? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/money\/mortgages-property\/home-movers\/selling-a-house\/epcs-explained-aueSX6F3r1nX\">https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/money\/mortgages-property\/home-movers\/selling-a-house\/epcs-explained-aueSX6F3r1nX<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">A guide to Energy Performance Certificates for the construction <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-non-dwellings--2\/a-guide-to-energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-non-dwellings\">https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-non-dwellings&#8211;2\/a-guide-to-energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-non-dwellings<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Improving Energy Performance Certificates: action plan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/improving-energy-performance-certificates-action-plan-progress-report\/improving-energy-performance-certificates-action-plan-progress-report\">https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/improving-energy-performance-certificates-action-plan-progress-report\/improving-energy-performance-certificates-action-plan-progress-report<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you are selling or renting out a home, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be required to indicate the property&#8217;s energy efficiency. EPCs were introduced in 2007 and remain valid for 10 years.\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[475],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6566","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-buyers"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJun-00029.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Credit Score UK","author_link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/author\/coco\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Energy Performance Certificates when buying a property | Credit-Score<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a building is and 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