An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can play an important role in property transactions across London. Whether you are buying a home, selling a flat, applying for a mortgage or considering a remortgage, understanding the EPC can help you make better decisions and avoid unnecessary delays.
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For sellers and landlords, a valid EPC is often required before a property can be marketed. For buyers, the EPC provides useful information about energy performance, potential running costs and recommended improvements. For mortgage and remortgage customers, EPC information may also become relevant where lenders review property efficiency, valuation details or green mortgage products.
EPCRATE has been helping London homeowners, landlords, estate agents and property professionals since 2015, providing fast EPC assessments across all London boroughs with same-day appointments available where possible. Call 020 3488 4142 to book.
What Is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate measures the energy efficiency of a property and gives it a rating from A to G. An A rating indicates a more energy-efficient property, while a G rating indicates lower energy efficiency.
The EPC also includes recommendations that may help improve the property’s energy performance. These recommendations are generated using the approved assessment methodology and should not be treated as guaranteed improvements or fixed savings.
A domestic EPC typically includes:
- Current energy efficiency rating.
- Potential future energy rating.
- Estimated energy performance information.
- Carbon emissions information.
- Recommended energy efficiency measures.
Domestic EPCs generally remain valid for 10 years from the date they are issued.
Why Is an EPC Important When Selling a Property?
If you are selling a property in London, a valid EPC is usually needed before the property is marketed. Estate agents will commonly ask whether an EPC is already available or has been commissioned before listing the property.
Having an EPC ready early can help avoid delays when preparing property details, arranging photography or launching the listing online. If you also need a floor plan, EPCRATE’s EPC + Floor Plan Bundle at £118 covers both in a single visit — saving £20 versus booking separately.
The EPC rating is also visible to potential buyers. While buyers consider many factors, including location, price, layout and condition, energy performance can influence how they view long-term running costs and future improvement work.
This is particularly relevant for London properties such as Victorian terraces, period conversions, purpose-built flats, maisonettes and modern apartments, where energy performance can vary significantly depending on construction, heating systems and insulation evidence.
Why Is an EPC Important When Buying a Property?
When buying a property, the EPC gives you useful information before committing to a purchase.
Buyers may use the EPC to understand:
- The property’s current energy rating.
- Possible future energy improvements.
- How the property compares with similar homes.
- Whether additional upgrade work may be worth considering.
- The likely energy performance of the building.
An EPC should not replace a survey, legal advice or a full property inspection. However, it can provide a helpful starting point for understanding energy efficiency.
For flats and apartments, the EPC can also help identify how factors such as floor level, adjoining heated spaces, construction type and heating systems may affect performance.
Is an EPC Important for a Mortgage?
Mortgage requirements vary between lenders and products. In many cases, a lender may not require a new EPC solely for a standard mortgage application, but energy performance information may still be relevant to the property valuation or lender criteria.
Some mortgage products may consider energy efficiency, particularly where lenders offer green mortgage products or preferential terms linked to EPC ratings.
If you are applying for a mortgage, it is sensible to check whether the property already has a valid EPC and ask your mortgage adviser or lender whether EPC information is required for your chosen product.
EPCRATE does not provide mortgage advice. Buyers should always confirm lending requirements directly with their lender, broker or financial adviser.
Is an EPC Important for Remortgaging?
For remortgaging, EPC requirements can also vary depending on the lender, product and property circumstances.
A new EPC may not always be required, especially if a valid certificate already exists. However, where a lender is assessing the property, considering a green mortgage product or requesting updated property information, an EPC may become relevant.
Homeowners who have completed energy efficiency improvements, such as heating upgrades, insulation work or glazing replacements, may choose to obtain a new EPC to reflect the current condition of the property.
However, improvement works do not guarantee a specific EPC rating. The final rating depends on the property, available evidence and approved assessment methodology.
Should You Renew an EPC Before Selling or Remortgaging?
If your current EPC is still valid, you may not need a new one immediately. However, there are situations where renewing may be useful.
You may consider a new EPC if:
- The existing certificate has expired.
- Major energy efficiency improvements have been completed.
- A new heating system has been installed.
- Insulation upgrades have been carried out and evidence is available.
- You want the current property condition reflected before marketing.
Supporting documentation can be important. For example, insulation certificates, FENSA certificates, Building Control records or heating installation documents may help ensure eligible features are recorded appropriately.
EPCs for London Flats and Apartments
Many London property transactions involve flats and apartments. This includes leasehold flats, ex-local authority properties, converted period homes, mansion blocks and modern developments.
An EPC is commonly required when a flat is marketed for sale or rent. It can also be useful during mortgage or remortgage discussions where energy performance is being considered. For landlords renting flats across London, a valid EPC is also a requirement under landlord licensing and MEES regulations.
EPCRATE regularly assesses flats and apartments across London, including Canary Wharf, Stratford, Wimbledon, Greenwich, Camden, Islington, Battersea, Croydon and the City of London.
Why Choose EPCRATE?
EPCRATE provides EPC services across London for homeowners, landlords, estate agents and property professionals.
- Founded in 2015 by Jino Jose.
- DEA and NDEA Accredited.
- ★★★★★ Trustpilot Reviews.
- Same-day appointments available where possible.
- Coverage across all 32 London boroughs.
- Draft EPC service available — only London provider offering this.
- Support for landlords, sellers, buyers and agents.
- Greater London Energy Efficiency Awards – Commended 2024.
- Greater London Energy Efficiency Awards – Highly Commended 2025 (Campbell Braybrooke Ltd).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EPC before selling my property?
In many circumstances, a valid EPC is required before marketing a property for sale. If an existing EPC remains valid, it may often continue to be used. EPCRATE offers same-day assessments from £59 across London — call 020 3488 4142.
Is an EPC useful when buying a property?
Yes. The EPC provides useful information about energy efficiency, potential improvements and the property’s energy performance, although it should not replace a survey or legal advice.
Do I need an EPC for a mortgage?
Mortgage requirements vary between lenders and products. Some lenders may consider EPC information, especially for green mortgage products, so applicants should check directly with their lender or broker.
Do I need an EPC for a remortgage?
Remortgage requirements vary depending on the lender and product. A valid EPC may be useful where updated property information or energy performance details are requested.
How long does an EPC last?
A domestic EPC generally remains valid for 10 years from the date it is issued. You can check whether a valid certificate already exists at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.
Buying, selling, mortgaging or remortgaging multiple properties? Contact EPCRATE on 020 3488 4142 for bulk EPC discounts available to landlords, estate agents, letting agents and property management companies across London.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom EPC | £59 |
| 2 Bedroom EPC | £69 |
| 3 Bedroom EPC | £79 |
| EPC + Floor Plan Bundle | £118 |
Written by Jino Jose
DEA & NDEA Accredited Energy Assessor · EPCRATE, London · Founded 2015
Jino Jose is the founder of EPCRATE and one of the few London assessors holding both Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) and Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) accreditations. He has carried out thousands of EPC assessments across all 32 London boroughs since 2015.
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