EPC Exemptions London: When Do You Not Need an EPC?

If you own a property in London, you may assume that every property needs an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before it can be sold or rented. However, there are certain circumstances where an EPC may not be required.

Understanding EPC exemptions in London can help property owners understand whether they need to arrange an assessment. It can also help sellers, landlords and agents check the requirements before putting a property on the market.

The rules depend on the type of property and how it is used. Therefore, you should check the latest government guidance before relying on an exemption.

What Is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate shows the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A to G. It also provides information about typical energy use and recommendations for improving energy efficiency.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years. If you already have a valid certificate, you may not need another assessment simply because you are preparing to sell or rent the property.

Before booking a new assessment, you can check whether your property already has an EPC using the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service.

Do All London Properties Need an EPC?

No. There are specific circumstances where an EPC may not be required.

For properties that do require an EPC, GOV.UK states that you must order an EPC for potential buyers or tenants before marketing a property for sale or rent.

However, some types of buildings and uses are exempt.

This is why checking the property and its circumstances first can be useful.

Common EPC Exemptions

The following are examples of circumstances where an EPC may not be required.

1. Temporary Buildings

Some temporary buildings may be exempt from EPC requirements.

GOV.UK guidance states that temporary buildings intended to be used for less than two years do not need an EPC.

If you believe your building falls into this category, check the exact conditions before relying on the exemption.

2. Small Stand-Alone Buildings

Certain stand-alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50 square metres may not require an EPC.

This exemption applies to specific stand-alone buildings rather than every small property.

For example, the fact that a building is small does not automatically mean that it is exempt.

The building type and circumstances should be considered together.

3. Certain Industrial and Agricultural Buildings

Some industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings may be exempt where they do not use a lot of energy.

This category can be more complicated because the exemption depends on the type of building and its use.

If you own a commercial or agricultural property, check the current requirements before marketing or changing the building’s use.

4. Certain Buildings Due to Be Demolished

Some buildings that are due to be demolished may fall within an EPC exemption.

However, this is not simply a matter of deciding that a property will eventually be demolished.

Specific conditions apply, so property owners should check the applicable government requirements before relying on this exemption.

5. Certain Holiday Accommodation

Some holiday accommodation may be exempt where it is rented out for less than four months in a year or is let under a licence to occupy.

The exact circumstances matter.

If you operate a short-term or holiday property, check the latest requirements rather than assuming that all holiday accommodation is automatically exempt.

6. Certain Residential Buildings Used for Limited Periods

Some residential buildings intended to be used for less than four months a year may be exempt.

Again, the intended use and circumstances of the property are important.

If you are unsure whether your property falls within this category, check the current GOV.UK guidance before deciding that an EPC is unnecessary.

7. Places of Worship

Places of worship can fall within EPC exemptions.

If the building has another use alongside its religious function, however, the circumstances may need further consideration.

The safest approach is to check the current requirements for the specific building.

8. Some Listed Buildings

Listed buildings require particular attention.

A listed building may be exempt in certain circumstances where meeting minimum energy performance requirements to rent out the property would unacceptably alter its character or appearance.

However, being listed does not mean that every listed property automatically has an EPC exemption.

If you own a listed property, check the specific circumstances with your local authority’s conservation officer before relying on an exemption.

What If You Are Not Sure Whether Your Property Is Exempt?

Do not assume that a property is exempt simply because it appears to match one of the categories above.

Instead, consider:

  • What type of building is it?

  • How is the property being used?

  • How large is the building?

  • Is it stand-alone?

  • Is it residential, commercial, agricultural or another type of building?

  • Is it listed?

  • Is it temporary?

  • Is it due to be demolished?

  • How long is it intended to be occupied?

  • Are there any special circumstances affecting the property?

The answers can determine whether an exemption applies.

You can also use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to check whether the property already has an EPC.

Check Your Existing EPC Before Booking a New One

Even if you think you need an EPC, check the existing certificate first.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years unless it has been replaced by a newer certificate.

This means that arranging another assessment immediately may not always be necessary.

If you are preparing to sell or rent your property, read our guide on How Long Does an EPC Assessment Take in London? to understand what happens during an assessment, what can make the appointment take longer and how to prepare beforehand.

You can also read our EPC Checklist Before Marketing a Property in London for a practical list of checks to complete before putting your property on the market.

These two guides work well alongside this article because an exemption check should be completed before arranging an EPC assessment.

What If Your Property Is Not Exempt?

If your property does not qualify for an exemption and there is no valid EPC, you may need to arrange a new assessment.

An EPC assessment involves an accredited energy assessor collecting information about the property and its energy-related features.

Before the appointment, make sure relevant areas are accessible and have information about recent improvements available where possible.

If you want to understand the assessment process in more detail, read our guide to EPC assessment times in London.

You can also visit our EPC service page to learn more about arranging an EPC in London.

EPC Requirements When Selling or Renting

If you are selling or renting a London property, checking the EPC should be part of your preparation process.

For properties where an EPC is required, GOV.UK states that you must order an EPC for potential buyers or tenants before marketing the property.

The certificate also needs to be produced by an accredited assessor.

You can read the latest requirements on the official GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificates guidance.

Therefore, property owners should avoid relying on informal assumptions about whether an EPC is required.

If there is any uncertainty, check the latest government guidance or speak with an appropriately qualified professional.

An EPC Is Only One Part of Property Marketing

Once you have established that your property needs an EPC, you may also need other marketing materials before launching the listing.

These can include:

  • Professional property photography

  • A clear floor plan

  • Accurate property information

  • Property measurements

  • A property description

  • Other marketing materials

EPC Rate London also provides Property Photography and Professional Floor Plans for properties being prepared for sale or rent.

Professional photography can help present the property clearly online, while a floor plan can help potential buyers or tenants understand the layout.

You can also visit the Book Your Services page to enquire about available property services.

EPC Exemption Checklist for London Property Owners

Before deciding that your property does not need an EPC, work through this checklist.

Property Details

  • Check the type of building.

  • Check how the property is being used.

  • Check the property’s size.

  • Check whether it is stand-alone.

  • Check whether it is temporary.

  • Check whether it is listed.

  • Check whether it is intended to be demolished.

  • Check how long the property is intended to be occupied.

EPC Records

  • Search for an existing EPC.

  • Check the certificate date.

  • Check whether it is still valid.

  • Check whether a newer certificate has replaced it.

  • Keep a copy of the current certificate with your property documents.

Before Selling or Renting

  • Confirm whether an EPC is required.

  • Check the latest GOV.UK requirements.

  • Arrange an assessment if necessary.

  • Make sure the assessor can access the relevant areas.

  • Prepare information about recent improvements.

  • Complete your wider property marketing preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all properties in London need an EPC?

No. Some buildings and uses can qualify for exemptions. The exemption depends on the specific circumstances of the property.

Does a listed building automatically have an EPC exemption?

No. A listed building is not automatically exempt in every situation. Specific conditions apply, particularly where meeting minimum energy performance requirements could unacceptably alter its character or appearance.

Does a small building need an EPC?

Some stand-alone buildings under 50 square metres may be exempt. The exemption applies to specific circumstances, so the size alone should not be treated as a universal exemption.

Do I need a new EPC if my existing EPC is still valid?

Generally, you may not need a new EPC simply because you are selling or renting if the existing certificate remains valid and has not been replaced.

How can I check whether my property already has an EPC?

You can use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to search for an existing certificate and download it.

What happens if my property is not exempt?

If an EPC is required and there is no valid certificate, you may need to arrange an assessment with an accredited energy assessor before marketing the property.

You can use the official GOV.UK Find an Accredited Energy Assessor service to find an accredited assessor.

Final Thoughts

Understanding EPC exemptions in London can help property owners establish whether they actually need a new certificate.

Some temporary buildings, small stand-alone buildings, certain industrial or agricultural buildings, specific holiday accommodation, places of worship and some listed buildings may fall within exemption categories.

However, the details matter.

Do not assume that your property is exempt based only on its size, age, use or listed status. Check the current requirements and consider the specific circumstances of the building.

If your property does require an EPC, checking your existing certificate first can save unnecessary work. You can then arrange the assessment and continue with the rest of your property marketing preparation.

For the latest requirements, always refer to the official GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificate guidance.

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