EPC Documents You Need When Selling or Renting in London

Selling or renting a property in London involves preparing several important documents. One of the key documents is an Energy Performance Certificate, commonly known as an EPC.

Knowing which EPC documents London property owners need can help you prepare your property before it is marketed. It can also help prevent delays when you are getting a home ready for sale or rent.

An EPC provides information about the energy efficiency of a property and gives the property an energy efficiency rating from A to G.

If you are unsure whether your property already has a valid certificate, you can use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to search for an existing EPC.

What Is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate shows how energy efficient a property is.

The certificate provides an energy efficiency rating from A to G and includes recommendations for possible improvements.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years unless a newer certificate has replaced it. Therefore, you should always check whether an existing certificate is still valid before arranging another assessment.

For properties being prepared for sale or rent, GOV.UK advises that an EPC should generally be commissioned before the property is marketed where one is required.

Which EPC Documents Do You Need?

The exact documents and information you need can depend on your property and circumstances.

However, property owners should generally start with the following.

1. Your Existing EPC Certificate

The first step is to check whether the property already has an EPC.

You may not need a new assessment if a valid certificate already exists.

Search the official government register using your postcode or other available property information.

If you cannot find a valid certificate, you may need to arrange a new EPC assessment.

2. The EPC Recommendation Report

Your EPC includes recommendations for possible energy-efficiency improvements.

These recommendations can help you understand areas where the property may be improved.

For example, the report may identify potential improvements involving insulation, heating, glazing, lighting or other energy-related features.

You do not necessarily need to complete every recommendation before selling a property. Instead, consider which improvements are suitable for the property and your plans.

For more information, see our guide on how to improve your EPC rating before selling or letting.

3. Property Information for the Assessment

If you need a new EPC, it can be useful to have information about the property available for the assessor.

This may include details about:

• Heating systems

• Hot water systems

• Boiler upgrades

• Insulation

• Replacement windows

• Solar panels

• Heating controls

• Other energy-efficiency improvements

You should also make sure the relevant areas of the property are accessible during the assessment.

For more preparation advice, read our recent guide on how long an EPC assessment takes in London.

Do You Need an EPC Before Marketing a Property?

In England, an EPC is generally required when selling or renting a property, subject to applicable exemptions.

If your property does not already have a valid EPC, you should arrange the assessment before marketing it.

This is why checking your EPC early can be useful.

Our EPC checklist before marketing a property in London explains the main checks sellers, landlords and estate agents can complete before putting a property on the market.

What If You Are Selling a House?

If you are selling a London house, check your EPC as part of your early preparation.

First, find the existing certificate and check its validity.

Next, review the rating and recommendations.

If the certificate is expired or unavailable, arrange a new assessment with an appropriately accredited assessor.

You can also read our detailed guide on EPC before selling a house in London for additional information.

Preparing the EPC early gives you more time to organise the rest of your property marketing materials.

What Other Documents and Information Should You Prepare?

An EPC is only one part of preparing a property for sale or rent.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to organise:

• Property photographs

• A floor plan

• Property measurements

• Property descriptions

• Relevant property certificates

• Information about recent improvements

• Marketing information

• Other documents required for the sale or rental process

Keeping your information organised can make it easier to respond to questions from estate agents, buyers or tenants.

Should You Improve Your EPC Before Selling?

Not every property needs improvement before it is sold.

Start by reviewing the existing EPC and its recommendations.

Consider the potential cost of each improvement and whether the work makes sense for your property.

For example, some improvements may be relatively straightforward, while others may require more substantial work.

If you decide to carry out improvements, keep relevant records such as invoices, product information and installation documents where appropriate.

Remember that making improvements does not automatically update an existing EPC. A new assessment may be required if you want completed improvements reflected on a new certificate.

How Long Does an EPC Take?

The time required for an EPC assessment depends on the property.

A small flat may be relatively straightforward, while a larger house with several rooms, floors or complex features may require more time.

Access can also affect the appointment.

Before the assessor arrives, make sure relevant rooms and systems can be accessed and have information about recent improvements available where possible.

For a detailed explanation, read How Long Does an EPC Assessment Take in London?.

How Can You Prepare Your EPC Documents?

A simple preparation process can make things easier.

Before booking

• Check whether an EPC already exists

• Confirm the certificate expiry date

• Check the current EPC rating

• Confirm whether a new assessment is required

• Choose an appropriately accredited assessor

• Ask about the expected turnaround time

Before the assessment

• Make relevant rooms accessible

• Make heating and hot water systems accessible

• Prepare information about recent improvements

• Keep window and insulation information available where possible

• Tell the assessor about any access issues

After the assessment

• Check the property details on the EPC

• Review the EPC rating

• Read the recommendations

• Keep a copy of the certificate

• Check the latest government requirements before marketing

Can You Check an EPC Online?

Yes.

The official GOV.UK service allows property owners to search for an existing energy certificate using information such as the postcode, street name and town or an EPC certificate number.

This is useful because you may already have a valid EPC and therefore may not need to arrange another assessment.

You can check the official GOV.UK energy certificate service before booking a new assessment.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your EPC documents in London does not have to be complicated.

Start by checking whether your property already has a valid EPC. Then review the certificate, its expiry date and the recommendations.

If you need a new assessment, prepare the relevant property information and make sure the assessor can access the necessary areas.

If you are selling, arranging the EPC early can also make it easier to organise other marketing materials such as professional photography and a floor plan.

For current EPC requirements and official guidance, always check the latest information on GOV.UK.

If you need an EPC assessment in London, you can also check the latest EPC pricing and arrange an assessment with EPC Rate London.