If you believe your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is inaccurate, you are not alone — and you are not powerless. UK property owners do have the legal right to challenge an EPC rating if it contains factual errors, incorrect assumptions, or outdated information.
Understanding when and how to dispute an EPC can save you money, protect your sale or rental value, and prevent unnecessary upgrades.
This guide explains your rights, valid reasons for a challenge, the official dispute process, and what outcomes to expect.
1. Can an EPC rating be challenged?
Yes. Under UK energy certification rules, property owners and landlords can request a review or correction of an EPC if:
The assessment contains factual inaccuracies
Key features of the property were recorded incorrectly
The assessor made a data-entry or modelling error
The EPC is based on outdated or incomplete information
However, you cannot challenge an EPC simply because you dislike the rating — there must be a demonstrable technical or factual issue.
If you need a professional reassessment, our experienced assessors can help you understand the steps — learn more about our team on the About Us – EPC Company London page.
2. Valid reasons to dispute an EPC
You have a legitimate case if the EPC includes:
| Error Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Incorrect floor area | Wrong square footage recorded |
| Missing insulation | Loft/wall insulation not included |
| Wrong heating system | Old boiler listed instead of new one |
| Incorrect glazing | Single glazing listed instead of double |
| Wrong construction type | Solid wall vs cavity wall misclassification |
| Renewables omitted | Solar panels, heat pumps not recorded |
Even a small error can change the SAP score and drop your rating by a whole band (e.g., from C to D).
3. What you cannot challenge
You cannot dispute an EPC based on:
Disagreement with SAP methodology
Market impact (e.g. buyers dislike the rating)
The cost of upgrades suggested
Government regulations or rating thresholds
Only assessment errors, not policy or opinion, qualify.
4. Step-by-step: How to challenge an EPC
Step 1 — Contact the assessor
Your first action is to contact the accredited energy assessor who produced the certificate. Their details appear on the EPC register. If you don’t have the original assessor details or need professional help, you can book an assessment or speak to one of our London-based experts listed on the EPC Assessors London services page.
Explain:
What is wrong
Why it is wrong
What evidence you have
Step 2 — Provide evidence
Useful evidence includes:
Floor plans or measured surveys
Installation certificates (boiler, insulation, solar, etc.)
Building control documents
Photographs (dated where possible)
Step 3 — Request a formal review
The assessor must investigate and either:
Amend and re-lodge the EPC, or
Provide a written explanation if they believe it is correct
Step 4 — Escalate if unresolved
If the assessor refuses to correct a genuine error, you can escalate to:
Their accreditation body, or
The EPC Register dispute process
5. Will challenging cost money?
That depends:
Clerical errors are usually corrected free of charge.
If a site revisit is required, the assessor may charge a modest fee.
If you request a new EPC from a different assessor, you will pay for a new assessment. You can check our pricing for transparent costs.
6. What outcomes are possible?
After a successful challenge:
The EPC is updated on the national register
The old version becomes invalid
Your property marketing and compliance status updates automatically
If the rating improves, this can:
Increase sale price attractiveness
Avoid minimum rental standards breaches
Improve mortgage and lender eligibility
7. Why this matters legally
An incorrect EPC can expose landlords to:
Letting restrictions (for sub‑E rated properties)
Civil penalties
Loss of rent recovery rights
Sellers can also suffer:
Buyer withdrawal
Price renegotiations
Failed conveyancing due to compliance issues
To get help or talk to an expert about your rights and next steps, contact our team via the Contact Us – EPC Services London page.
Final Thoughts
Yes — you can challenge an EPC rating, and in many cases you should.
If your certificate is wrong, outdated, or incomplete, you are entitled to have it reviewed and corrected. Doing nothing could cost you far more than the time it takes to raise a dispute.
An EPC is not just a formality — it is a legally binding energy statement that directly affects your property’s value, marketability, and compliance status.
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📞 Phone: 020 3488 4142
📧 Email: info@epcrate.co.uk
