Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are legally required when selling, letting, or building a property in the UK. They inform buyers and tenants about a building’s energy efficiency — but what happens when they’re fake?
👉 From cloned certificates to forged credentials, EPC fraud is more common than you think, and it can cost buyers, landlords, and renters thousands in lost trust and unnecessary upgrades.
Let’s expose how EPC fraud works, how to spot it, and how to protect yourself.
🧨 What Does EPC Fraud Look Like?
EPC fraud can occur in several forms:
1. Completely Fake Certificates
These are EPCs that were never lodged with an official accreditation body. They may:
Use old templates or unofficial designs
Have no valid EPC number
Include forged assessor details
2. Cloned EPCs
A genuine certificate from another property is reused for similar-looking homes — often in large lettings portfolios or new builds.
🧱 Two flats, same layout? Some rogue landlords try to save money by copying EPCs.
3. Bogus Assessors
Some individuals pose as accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) without ever registering with an official scheme.
They may:
Charge cheap fees
Provide inaccurate reports
Disappear when challenged
🧪 Why It Matters: The Hidden Costs of a Fake EPC
A fraudulent EPC can lead to:
💸 Overpaying for inefficient properties you thought were A or B rated
🧯 Fire and heating risks due to undetected insulation or ventilation issues
🚫 Letting or selling delays when your certificate is rejected by solicitors
🧾 Legal fines under MEES regulations for landlords with non-compliant homes
🔧 Unnecessary upgrades based on incorrect recommendations
🔎 How to Spot a Fake EPC Certificate
Here’s a step-by-step checklist:
✅ 1. Verify the EPC number
Every valid UK EPC has a unique 24-digit report reference number (RRN).
Check it here:
🔗 https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate
If it doesn’t appear in the official register, it’s fake.
✅ 2. Look up the assessor
You can verify any DEA by:
Searching the EPC register by assessor name or RRN
Visiting the assessor’s accreditation scheme website (e.g., Stroma, Elmhurst, Quidos)
A missing or expired registration = red flag 🚩
✅ 3. Check the assessment date
If your EPC was issued before recent renovations or within minutes of booking, it’s likely invalid or cloned.
Legitimate EPCs require:
A full on-site survey (~30–60 mins)
Photos and documentation
Time for software calculation and lodgement
✅ 4. Check for signs of cloning
If multiple properties from the same agent have identical EPCs, look closely. Matching images, layouts, and recommendations across addresses = cloning.
🚔 What To Do If You Suspect EPC Fraud
📍 Step 1: Report the assessor
If the EPC was forged or improperly issued:
Contact the assessor’s accreditation body
File a complaint with Trading Standards
Notify the property ombudsman if it’s part of a sale or rental listing
📍 Step 2: Request a new EPC
Hire a fully accredited DEA from the EPC register and have a fresh assessment conducted. This is especially critical if you’re:
A landlord needing to meet MEES standards
A buyer using EPC data for mortgage or grant eligibility
📍 Step 3: Seek compensation or refund
If you paid for an EPC and discovered fraud, you may:
Claim a refund through payment platforms or small claims court
Take legal action if significant losses occurred
💼 How Rogue EPCs Hurt the Entire Market
Fake EPCs don’t just harm individuals — they undermine the credibility of the entire energy certification system. Inaccurate ratings:
Skew national energy data
Let inefficient homes slip past MEES enforcement
Waste government funds on misinformed energy grants
🧠 Final Word: Trust but Verify
An EPC isn’t just a legal formality — it can influence investment decisions, heating costs, rental legality, and more.
If you’re a landlord, buyer, or tenant:
Always verify the EPC online
Demand full assessor details
Watch for pricing that seems too cheap to be real
Because when it comes to energy ratings, a fake certificate is worse than no certificate at all.
The EPC graph is just the beginning. When you know how to read between the lines, your report becomes more than a score—it becomes a blueprint for saving energy, reducing emissions, and increasing property value.
Ready to unlock the full story of your EPC?
📅 Book your expert EPC assessment today at EPCrate.co.uk.
