If you’re a homeowner in the UK you’ve probably heard of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). An EPC is a home energy certificate that the government introduced to improve energy efficiency and to track the reduction of emissions. EPC ratings are increasingly important for a range of reasons, so if your EPC is wrong it could cause issues for you. Your EPC rating affects the resale and letting of properties, and it can also prevent you from accessing Government grants, so it is important that your EPC is right. In this blog post we will tell you what to do if you have a wrong EPC rating, and we show you how to get it fixed (without spending a penny).
Outline
1. What is an EPC rating and why is it important for homeowners and renters alike?
2. How can you check your EPC rating online for free, without having to contact a professional assessor?
3. If you find that your EPC rating is wrong, what are the steps you need to take to get it corrected at no cost to you?
4. Free email templates to send to your assessor and accreditation scheme to get your EPC rating fixed for free
1. What is an EPC rating and why is it important for homeowners and renters alike?
An EPC rating is a measure of a property’s energy efficiency. It is important because it determines whether your property is eligible for Government energy-efficiency grants. It can also impact the resale or letting of a property. EPCs give properties a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Properties can only be rented if they have an energy rating of A, B, C, D or E. If you’re currently renting and your property has a higher EPC rating, you might be paying more than you need to in energy bills. If your EPC is higher than it should be, you could miss out on Government energy grants that are only available for properties with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G.
EPCs include a breakdown of all features of the property and their associated energy rating.
2. How can you check your EPC rating online for free, without having to contact a professional assessor?
If you are in England and Wales you can check your EPC rating on the EPC Register.
If you are in Scotland you will need to check your EPC rating on the Scottish EPC Register.
You can also use our energy grant checker to view energy performance information for your property. As well as checking the EPC register, the grant checker will search for any grants you may be eligible for (saving you valuable time).
3. If you find that your EPC rating is incorrect, what are the steps you need to take to get it updated or corrected as quickly as possible at no cost to you?
Incorrect EPC ratings can often be caused by errors in the way that the property was assessed. There can be all manner of issues causing EPCs to be incorrect including heating, walls and even the type of property. If you think your EPC is incorrect you can challenge the EPC rating.
Step 1: Contact the assessor and explain what is wrong with the EPC and ask them to redact it. The assessors details will be listed on the EPC in the ‘Contacting the assessor and accreditation scheme’ section of your EPC.
Step 2: If the assessor does not reply or redact the EPC you can contact the accreditation scheme and ask them to take action. Their details are in the ‘Contacting the assessor and accreditation scheme’ section of your EPC.
The accreditation scheme is legally obliged to investigate the complaint and, where necessary, take action. Where it is found that the information is incorrect, a new EPC must be issued, and the information on the register amended. This should be arranged at no cost to you.
If the EPC is not amended or redacted, the accreditation scheme must refer the matter to an independent third party for adjudication and report back to you with a final outcome.
4. Free email templates to send to your assessor and accreditation scheme to get your EPC rating fixed for free
Feel free to use our free templates to contact your assessor and the accreditation scheme about your incorrect EPC and let us know how you get on!
Free template: Email to assessor about incorrect EPC
Dear Sir/Madam,
I email in regarding to the EPC for [insert property address].
The EPC can be found at [insert EPC link]
The EPC is incorrect and the errors on the certificate are:
1) [insert details of the error]
2) [insert details of the error]
3) [insert details of the error]
etc.
I would like to start the process detailed at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671018/A_guide_to_energy_performance_certificates_for_the_marketing__sale_and_let_of_dwellings.pdf in terms of rectifying the issue.
The relevant part of the guidance states ‘for complaints regarding the energy assessor or the energy assessment contact the energy assessor in the first instance. If the matter cannot be resolved, contact the accreditation body of the energy assessor who produced the EPC. Contact details of both the assessor and accreditation scheme can be found on the EPC.’
I am contacting you as the energy assessor, and ask that the appropriate redress is made to correct or redact the EPC.
Please take action by [insert date 14 days ahead]
Free template: Email to accreditation scheme about incorrect EPC
Dear Sir/Madam,
I email in regarding to the EPC for [insert property address].
The EPC can be found at [insert EPC link]
The EPC is incorrect and the errors on the certificate are:
1) [insert details of the error]
2) [insert details of the error]
3) [insert details of the error]
etc.
I have contacted the assessor responsible for the property and the issues with the EPC have not been resolved.
I would like to start the process detailed at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671018/A_guide_to_energy_performance_certificates_for_the_marketing__sale_and_let_of_dwellings.pdf in terms of rectifying the issue.
The relevant part of the guidance states ‘for complaints regarding the energy assessor or the energy assessment contact the energy assessor in the first instance. If the matter cannot be resolved, contact the accreditation body of the energy assessor who produced the EPC. Contact details of both the assessor and accreditation scheme can be found on the EPC.’
I am contacting you as the accreditation scheme and ask that the appropriate redress is made to correct or redact the EPC. I ask you to investigate the complaint and, where necessary, provide the appropriate redress. Where it is found that the information is incorrect, a new EPC must be issued and the information on the register amended. This procedure should be followed at no cost to the complainant. In the event that the complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved, I ask that as the accreditation scheme you refer the matter to an independent third party for adjudication.
Please take action by [insert date 14 days ahead]
Can you please invoke the process above and report back regarding your investigations, or referral to the independent third party for adjudication if your investigation is complete already.
We hope this blog has helped to answer some of your questions about what to do if you think your EPC is wrong. If you have any further questions, please get in touch. We are always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in an EPC?
An EPC gives information on the energy efficiency of a home. It rates homes on a scale from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the home is and the lower your fuel bills are likely to be.
How long is an EPC valid for?
An EPC is valid for a period of ten years from the date it was produced. After this time, a new certificate will be required.
What if my EPC is wrong?
If you think your EPC is inaccurate, you can ask the assessor to check it and make changes if necessary. You can also appeal to the accreditation scheme operator if you’re not happy with the results of the review. The contact details for the assessor and the accredited scheme provider are listed on your EPC. You can use our free email templates that quote the relevant legislation that needs to be followed.
What happens if I don’t have an EPC?
You can instruct an energy assessor to carry out an energy assessment for your property and create an EPC. The energy efficiency assessor will need to be registered with an accreditation scheme to be able to lodge your EPC on the register. Look at their reviews to ensure you get a reputable assessor, as if they don’t do a good job it could cause issues down the line.
How do I obtain an EPC and what is the cost?
The cost of an EPC depends on the size and type of your property. It typically costs between £60 and £120. You can find a registered assessor in your area on the government’s website
When do landlords need an energy performance certificate (EPC)?
Before properties can be marketed for sale or rent, they need a valid EPC and it must be less than ten years old. If there is no valid EPC, the landlord will need to commission one.
How to improve your EPC rating?
You can make your property more energy efficient and improve your EPC rating by taking some simple steps, such as:
– draught-proofing doors and windows
– installing loft, wall or floor insulation
– switching to energy efficient light bulbs.
– upgrading heating systems to more efficient models
– installing renewables such as solar or heat pumps
These are just a few of the things you can do to improve your EPC rating. We recommend using our 23 second grant checker to see if you are eligible for grants as that could make your improvements even more cost effective.
Apply for a grant
Check eligibility for grants
Fill in the short form to see if you are eligible for Government grants.