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 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 to stay at home and away from others (social distancing)
Overview
The legal requirement to obtain an EPC before selling or letting a property remains in place.
EPC assessments should only be conducted in accordance with government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and where the EPC assessment can be conducted safely.
Please see government guidance for the most up to date information on staying safe, including how to practice social distancing.
For domestic and non-domestic building owners, including landlords, sellers and freeholders
An EPC is a legal requirement when a property is sold, let or constructed and must be completed by an accredited assessor using standard assessment procedures.
Advice for people to stay at home and away from others means that you should not invite unnecessary visitors into your home, or into those you let to tenants.
Where a property is occupied, parties must endeavour to agree that the transaction can be delayed, so that an EPC assessment can proceed when stay-at-home measures to fight coronavirus (COVID-19) are no longer in place.
If moving is unavoidable and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, and a valid EPC is not available from the register, an assessment may need to be conducted. In these circumstances, government guidelines on staying away from others to minimise the spread of the virus must be followed alongside the guidance for carrying out work in people’s homes.
EPC assessments can continue in cases where your property is vacant.
Landlords should also see further information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and the enforcement of standards in rented properties.
No assessments should take place if any person in the property is showing symptoms, self-isolating or being shielded – if securing an EPC is critical you should seek to reschedule your appointment when it is safe to do so in accordance with Government guidelines on staying away from others.
For EPC assessors
EPC assessments can continue, but some buying and selling transactions may be delayed.
Where transactions continue, they must meet the criteria and assessments should only be conducted where an individual believes the work is essential and meets the criteria for leaving the home, and in accordance with government staying at home and away from others (social distancing) guidance.
See additional information on carrying out work in people’s homes.
No assessments should take place if any person in the property is showing symptoms, self-isolating or being shielded.
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.
SOURCE: GOV.UK
