If you are looking to market your property, for either sale or rent, then you are legally obliged to have a valid energy performance certificate (EPC). This applies to both residential and commercial buildings. Recent changes in legislation mean that you now need a certificate even if you already have existing tenants already in place.

No - there is no "pass" or "fail" with EPCs

However, for those looking to rent a property then, as of April 2018, you are unable to move new tenants in unless the property has a minimum efficiency rating of ‘E’. From April 1st, 2020, this was extended to cover all existing tenancies as well.

We will need access to all rooms so we can accurately measure the property and examine the necessary items such as the type of glazing and material of the window frames, heating and cooling systems, presence and levels of insulation in the floor, walls and roof, the hot water system and lighting. This data is then used to calculate the current level of energy efficiency, as well as the potential rating.

Each property is graded on the level of energy efficiency. The ratings are scored from A-G, with A being the most efficient and G the least. The higher the rating of the building, the more energy-efficient it is and the lower the bills will be. The current average rating for UK homes is D-E.