Question 1

What is an EPC and when do I legally need one?

Accepted Answer

An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and lists cost-effective improvements. In England and Wales you need a valid EPC when a property is built, sold or let, and it must be available to prospective buyers or tenants from the moment the property is marketed. Certificates last 10 years.

Question 2

How long does an EPC last?

Accepted Answer

Ten years from the date it is lodged on the national register. You do not need a new one for each sale or tenancy while it remains valid — although many owners commission a fresh certificate after major improvements so the rating reflects the upgraded property.

Question 3

How do I check whether my property already has an EPC?

Accepted Answer

Search the free government register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate using the postcode. If a certificate exists it will show the rating, expiry date and the assessor who produced it. If you cannot find one, or it has expired, we can usually assess the property within a few days.

Question 4

Who carries out the assessment?

Accepted Answer

Every EPCExpress assessment is carried out by an accredited energy assessor registered with a government-approved scheme. Domestic assessors hold Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) accreditation; commercial properties are assessed by Level 3 or Level 4 Non-Domestic Energy Assessors. We confirm your assessor's details before the visit.

Question 5

How much does an EPC cost?

Accepted Answer

Prices start from £39. Domestic EPCs are priced by bedroom count and commercial EPCs by floor area; air-conditioned or complex buildings are quoted individually. The price we confirm when you book is the price you pay.

Question 6

How quickly can you attend?

Accepted Answer

Most domestic appointments in Greater Manchester are available within two to three working days, and we hold priority slots for next-working-day visits. Evening and Saturday appointments are available at no extra cost. Commercial site visits are typically arranged within a week.

Question 7

Can I reschedule or cancel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can change or cancel your appointment free of charge up to 24 hours before the visit by phone or email. Later cancellations or no-access visits may incur a £25 fee to cover the assessor's time, which we waive if the reason was outside your control.

Question 8

When and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Homeowners and landlords pay on completion by card, bank transfer or via the secure link in your confirmation email. Letting agents, estate agents and portfolio clients can apply for a monthly account with consolidated invoicing.

Question 9

How long does the visit take?

Accepted Answer

A typical three-bedroom home takes 30–45 minutes. Larger or extended properties can take up to an hour. Commercial assessments depend on floor area and services and usually take between one and three hours.

Question 10

What does the assessor look at?

Accepted Answer

Construction type and age, wall, roof and floor insulation, window glazing, the heating system and its controls, hot water, lighting, ventilation and any renewable technology. The assessor measures every room, photographs key items such as the boiler data plate and meter, and inspects the loft where safe access exists.

Question 11

How should I prepare for the assessment?

Accepted Answer

Make sure every room, the loft hatch, the boiler and the meters are accessible. If you have paperwork for insulation, double glazing, a new boiler, solar panels or an extension, have it ready — documentary evidence can improve the rating because the assessor can only credit what can be verified.

Question 12

Do I need to be there?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Many customers arrange for a tenant, family member or letting agent to provide access. We collect keys from agents within three miles of the property free of charge and always confirm safe return.

Question 13

What is the minimum EPC rating to let a property?

Accepted Answer

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), privately rented homes in England and Wales must have a rating of E or above unless a valid exemption is registered. The Government has consulted on raising the minimum to C for new tenancies from 2028 and all tenancies by 2030, so many landlords are planning improvements now.

Question 14

What happens if my rental is rated F or G?

Accepted Answer

You cannot lawfully grant a new tenancy, and continuing to let can lead to penalties of up to £5,000 per property plus publication of the breach. The usual route is to carry out improvements up to the cost cap, then have the property re-assessed. Our improvement report shows the cheapest path to E — or to C if you want to be ready for the proposed change.

Question 15

Do HMOs and individual rooms need an EPC?

Accepted Answer

An EPC is required for the building or self-contained unit being let. A whole house let as an HMO needs a single EPC for the house; a room let within a shared house does not usually need its own certificate. Self-contained flats each require their own EPC.

Question 16

What is the difference between Level 3, 4 and 5 commercial EPCs?

Accepted Answer

The level reflects the complexity of the building's services. Level 3 covers simple buildings with basic heating and natural ventilation, such as small shops and offices. Level 4 is required where there is air conditioning, complex ventilation or larger, more complex layouts. Level 5 applies to bespoke, highly complex buildings assessed with dynamic simulation. We tell you which level applies when we quote.

Question 17

What information do you need for a commercial EPC?

Accepted Answer

Floor plans if available, details of the heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems, any building services documentation, and access to plant rooms and roof spaces. Our assessor will still survey the building in person; good documentation simply speeds the process up and can improve the rating.

Question 18

When will I receive my certificate?

Accepted Answer

We lodge domestic certificates on the national register within 48 hours of the visit and email you a PDF with the register link. Commercial certificates are usually lodged within two to three working days because of the additional modelling involved.

Question 19

What if I disagree with the rating?

Accepted Answer

Contact us first. If you can provide evidence for an item the assessor could not verify on the day — such as an insulation certificate — we will review it and, where justified, amend and re-lodge the certificate at no cost. Every certificate also carries a formal complaints route through the accreditation scheme.

Question 20

How can I improve my EPC rating?

Accepted Answer

The certificate lists recommended measures with indicative costs and savings. Typically the biggest gains for the least cost come from loft insulation, LED lighting, heating controls, draught-proofing and a modern condensing boiler or heat pump. Our EPC Improvement Advice service models the exact effect of each option on your property.

Everything people ask before they book.

General

Booking & pricing

On the day

Landlords & MEES

Commercial

After your assessment

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