EPC Checklist Before Marketing a Property in London

Preparing a property for sale or rent involves more than taking photographs and creating a listing. An EPC checklist before marketing a property can help sellers, landlords and estate agents make sure the required energy information is ready before the property goes live.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides an energy efficiency rating from A to G and includes information about the property’s energy performance and possible improvements. GOV.UK states that an EPC is required when selling or renting a property in England, subject to applicable exemptions, and should be ordered before the property is marketed.

Before putting your London property on the market, it is worth working through a few simple checks.

1. Check Whether Your Property Already Has an EPC

The first step is to find out whether your property already has a valid EPC.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years unless a newer certificate has been produced for the same property. This means you may not need to arrange another assessment simply because you are selling or renting the property.

You can use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to check whether an existing certificate is available.

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

For more information, read our recent guide: What Happens After an EPC Assessment? A London Property Owner’s Next Steps.

2. Check the EPC Expiry Date

Finding an EPC is not enough. You should also check its issue date and validity.

An old certificate may still be valid, while another certificate may have been replaced by a newer assessment.

If your EPC has expired, arranging a new assessment early can help prevent it from becoming a problem later in the marketing process.

Our guide Expired EPC in London: What to Do Next explains what property owners should consider when an EPC is no longer valid.

3. Review Your Current EPC Rating

Once you have found your certificate, check the current rating.

The EPC rating ranges from A to G and provides an indication of the property’s energy efficiency under the assessment methodology.

Do not look only at the headline rating. Your EPC also contains recommendations that may identify potential energy-efficiency improvements.

If you are considering improvements before selling or letting, read How to Improve Your EPC Rating Before Selling or Letting.

It is important to consider the cost, suitability and timing of any improvement rather than assuming every recommendation needs to be completed immediately.

4. Arrange a New EPC If Required

If there is no valid EPC for your property, arrange an assessment before your property is marketed.

GOV.UK guidance states that an EPC must generally be commissioned before a property is put on the market when no valid EPC is already available.

The assessment is carried out by an accredited energy assessor. The assessor collects information about the property’s construction and energy-related features before producing the certificate.

If you are unsure what happens during the visit, read our guide What Does an EPC Assessment Include? A Complete Guide for London Property Owners.

5. Prepare the Property Before the Assessment

A little preparation can make the EPC appointment easier.

Before the assessor arrives, make sure they can access the relevant areas of the property.

It can also be useful to have information about recent improvements available, including:

• Boiler replacement

• Heating upgrades

• Insulation improvements

• Replacement windows

• Solar panels

• Hot water improvements

• Heating controls

• Other energy-efficiency work

For a more detailed preparation guide, see How to Prepare for an EPC Assessment in London.

Preparing this information in advance can help you organise the assessment without unnecessary delays.

6. Check Your EPC Before Property Photography

An EPC is only one part of preparing a property for the market.

Sellers and landlords may also need:

• Professional property photography

• A floor plan

• Property measurements

• A property description

• Key property information

• Estate agent marketing materials

If you are arranging several services at the same time, planning them together can make the preparation process easier.

Our Estate Agent Property Marketing Package London: EPC, Photography & Floor Plans explains how these services can work together when preparing a property listing.

You can also read our Property Photography Checklist before arranging professional photographs.

7. If You Are Selling, Arrange the EPC Early

If you are preparing a London property for sale, do not leave the EPC until the final stage.

GOV.UK states that sellers must have an EPC when selling a property and must order one before marketing the property.

Arranging the EPC early gives you time to:

• Check whether an existing certificate is valid

• Arrange a new assessment if required

• Review the rating

• Read the recommendations

• Organise photography

• Arrange a floor plan

• Prepare your property description

• Complete the wider marketing preparation

For more information, see EPC for Selling a Property in London: What You Need to Know.

8. If You Are Renting, Check the Current Requirements

Landlords should also check their EPC before advertising a rental property.

For covered domestic private rented properties, the current government guidance generally requires a minimum EPC Band E unless a valid exemption applies.

However, rental-property energy-efficiency requirements can change, so landlords should always check the latest official guidance before making compliance decisions.

The GOV.UK guidance for domestic private rented property provides information about Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, exemptions and compliance.

You can also read our EPC for Renting a Property in London: Landlord Guide.

9. Keep Your EPC With Your Property Documents

Once your EPC has been completed, keep a digital copy with your other property documents.

This can make future property administration easier.

Consider keeping:

• Current EPC

• Previous EPCs

• Boiler information

• Insulation information

• Window information

• Improvement records

• Installation certificates

• Floor plans

• Property marketing documents

Keeping these documents together can be useful when you sell, rent or reassess the property later.

10. Check the Cost Before Booking

If you need a new EPC, check the current price before arranging an assessment.

The cost can vary depending on factors such as property size, type, location and the amount of work involved.

You can see the current options on our EPC Pricing London page.

For a detailed explanation of the factors that can affect the price, read EPC Assessment Cost London: What Affects the Price?.

Checking the price and what is included before booking can help you understand the total cost.

11. Consider Combining Property Services

If you are preparing a property for sale or rent, you may need several services around the same time.

EPC Rate London also provides property photography and floor plan services.

The Book Your Services page allows property owners and agents to enquire about EPC, floor plan and property photography services.

Combining appointments where practical can reduce the amount of scheduling involved when preparing a property listing.

12. Use This EPC Marketing Checklist

Before your London property goes on the market, work through this simple checklist.

EPC Checklist

• Check whether an existing EPC is available

• Check the EPC expiry date

• Review the current EPC rating

• Read the recommendation report

• Arrange a new EPC if required

• Make sure the assessor can access the property

• Prepare information about recent improvements

• Keep a copy of the completed EPC

• Check the latest government requirements

Property Marketing Checklist

• Arrange professional photography

• Arrange a floor plan

• Prepare the property description

• Check room measurements

• Prepare important property information

• Organise estate agent marketing materials

• Check that the EPC information is ready

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an EPC before marketing my London property?

Generally, yes. GOV.UK states that an EPC must be ordered before a property is marketed for sale or rent where an EPC is required and no valid certificate already exists.

How long is an EPC valid?

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

Can I use an existing EPC when selling?

Yes, if it is still valid and has not been replaced by a newer certificate. It is sensible to check the official government register before arranging another assessment.

Should I improve my EPC before selling?

It depends on your property, the recommendations on your EPC and your plans. You should consider the cost and suitability of improvements rather than assuming that every recommendation needs to be completed.

What should I prepare before an EPC assessment?

Make sure the assessor can access the relevant parts of the property and have information about recent heating, insulation, window or energy-efficiency improvements available where possible.

Can EPC photography and floor plans be arranged together?

Depending on your requirements, EPC Rate London provides options for arranging EPC, property photography and floor plan services together.

Final Thoughts

An EPC checklist before marketing a property can help sellers, landlords and estate agents avoid unnecessary delays.

Start by checking whether your property already has a valid certificate. If you need a new assessment, arrange it early and make sure the assessor can access the relevant areas of the property.

Once the EPC is ready, review the rating and recommendations. Then continue with the rest of your property marketing preparation, including photography, floor plans and property information.

For current EPC requirements, always check the latest GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificate guidance.

If you need an EPC in London, you can check EPC pricing or book your EPC assessment with EPC Rate London.