Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Energy Performance Certificates

Advice on meeting the regulatory requirement to secure a valid Energy Performance Certificate on marketing a property during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This guidance was withdrawn on

This guidance is withdrawn as it’s no longer current. While cases are high and rising, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why we are keeping in place key protections on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. You should also follow the measures in the working safely guidance.

Applies to England and Wales

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) requirements when selling or letting a property

A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement when a property is sold, let or constructed and must be completed by an accredited assessor unless an exemption can be applied.

Where a building is to be let or sold, the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) Regulations require that all reasonable efforts must be made to obtain a valid EPC for the building before the end of a period of 7 days starting with the day on which the building was first put on the market.

If all reasonable efforts have been made to obtain a valid EPC but this has not been possible, a further 21 days are allowed as a grace period. After this period, enforcement action can be taken by enforcement authorities in line with the EPB Regulations.

EPCs and the government’s advice on the national lockdown in England

This guidance is applicable in England. EPC assessments in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland may be subject to different advice which is available from the relevant Devolved Administration’s website.

Overview

The legal requirement to obtain an EPC before selling or letting a property remains in place.

Energy assessments can continue in both domestic and non-domestics properties and should only be conducted in accordance with:

Protecting everyone

Where it is possible to conduct an assessment safely, assessors should communicate with households prior to any visit to discuss how the work will be carried out to minimise risk for all parties.

In accordance with NHS advice, assessment visits should not take place in properties where anyone is symptomatic or self-isolating.

Landlords should consult tenants on whether it is appropriate for an assessment to be conducted, based on the tenant’s personal situation.

Landlords should also seek further information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and the enforcement of standards in rented properties.

If you are unable to undertake an assessment for which you have been booked, you should seek to reschedule your appointment when it is safe to do so.

Further guidance

Published 2 April 2020
Last updated 8 January 2021 + show all updates
  1. Updated to reflect 4 January announcement of national lockdown for all England.

  2. Updated to reflect new national restrictions in force from 5 November 2020

  3. Amended this guidance.

  4. First published.