Who needs an EPC? A guide for England and Wales

Government guidance states that an EPC is required when a building is newly constructed, sold or let, subject to the regulations and exemptions that apply. For an existing property, first search the official register: an EPC is generally valid for 10 years unless a newer certificate has been produced for the same building.

The trigger and responsible party still need to be checked for the actual transaction, building or building unit. Do not assume that a certificate is current merely because an old rating appears in marketing material.

A new dwelling's certificate is produced from the approved new-build energy calculation and final as-built information. An existing home normally needs an accredited domestic energy assessment using the methodology for existing dwellings. A non-domestic building requires an appropriately accredited non-domestic assessor and a route suited to its geometry and fixed services.

A design-stage Part L report, a BRUKL document, a predicted energy assessment and a lodged EPC are related outputs, but they are not interchangeable. State the project stage and exact document requested.

Government guidance lists categories that can be outside the EPC requirement, including certain temporary buildings, some small stand-alone buildings, places of worship, some low-energy industrial, workshop and agricultural buildings, and qualifying buildings due for demolition. The wording and evidence matter.

Protection or listing is not a universal shortcut. The official test concerns whether meeting minimum energy-performance requirements would unacceptably alter the building's character or appearance. If this may apply, obtain property-specific advice and retain the evidence behind the decision.

An EPC records an energy rating and recommendations. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards govern whether certain privately rented properties may be let at a particular rating unless a valid exemption applies. A property being required to have an EPC does not, by itself, answer every MEES question.

Domestic and non-domestic MEES rules, tenancy conditions and exemptions differ. Landlords should use the current government guidance for their sector and take legal or specialist advice where the position is uncertain.

Check the official address record, certificate date, building unit and whether a newer certificate has replaced it.

Record whether the need arises from construction, sale, letting, building control, a lender, a funding condition or another instruction.

Confirm domestic or non-domestic use, new or existing status, property boundaries and the current project stage.

Arrange the accredited assessment route that can produce the certificate or report actually required.