How to Prepare for an EPC, Photography and Floor Plan Appointment in London

Preparing a property for sale or rent often involves several important jobs. You may need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), professional property photography and a clear floor plan before your listing is ready.

Booking these services together can make the process easier, but good preparation still matters. Having the property accessible, tidy and ready for the appointment can help each service run more smoothly.

If you are arranging an EPC, photography and floor plan in London, this guide explains what to prepare before the appointment.

Why Prepare for All Three Services Together?

An EPC, property photography and a floor plan each provide different information.

The EPC provides information about the property’s energy efficiency.

Professional property photography shows the property’s appearance, rooms and important features.

A property floor plan helps buyers and tenants understand the layout and relationship between rooms.

Together, these materials can create a more complete property listing.

EPC Rate London provides professional EPC services in London, as well as property photography and floor plan services.

The Book Your Services page also allows customers to enquire about EPC, floor plan and property photography services together.

1. Check Whether You Already Have a Valid EPC

Before booking a new EPC assessment, check whether the property already has a valid certificate.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years unless a newer certificate has replaced it. GOV.UK also provides an official service for finding an existing Energy Performance Certificate.

If you already have a valid EPC, you may not need to arrange another assessment simply because you are preparing to sell or rent the property.

For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to EPC documents needed when selling or renting in London.

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

2. Make Sure the Property Is Accessible

Access is one of the simplest things to prepare before an appointment.

The assessor, photographer and floor plan professional may need access to different parts of the property. Make sure bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living areas and other relevant spaces can be reached.

Before the appointment, check:

• All rooms can be entered

• Keys are available

• Doors are unlocked where appropriate

• Storage areas that need inspection are accessible

• Gardens, balconies or outdoor areas can be accessed where required

• Furniture is not blocking important areas

• Tenants or occupants know about the appointment

If the property has unusual areas, extensions or converted spaces, mention them when making your booking.

For more information about EPC appointments, see our guide on how long an EPC assessment takes in London.

3. Prepare Information for the EPC Assessment

An EPC assessment looks at relevant characteristics of the property that affect its energy performance.

Useful information can include details about:

• Heating systems

• Boiler replacements

• Insulation

• Windows and glazing

• Heating controls

• Hot water systems

• Solar panels or other renewable technologies

• Recent energy-efficiency improvements

You do not necessarily need every document available. However, if you have useful information about recent improvements, keeping it accessible can make the appointment easier.

The assessor will determine the appropriate information to record during the assessment.

If you are unsure what happens during the visit, read our EPC checklist before marketing a property in London.

4. Declutter Before Property Photography

Photography requires a different type of preparation.

A property does not need to look completely empty. Instead, the goal should be to create clean and organised rooms where the important features are easy to see.

Before the photographer arrives, consider:

• Removing unnecessary clutter

• Clearing kitchen worktops

• Making beds

• Tidying bathrooms

• Organising hallways

• Removing visible rubbish

• Hiding unnecessary cables

• Putting away personal documents

• Tidying balconies and gardens

• Removing excess furniture where appropriate

The aim is to make the property easy to understand visually.

For a room-by-room preparation guide, see our Property Photography Checklist.

5. Make the Kitchen and Bathroom Ready

Kitchens and bathrooms are important parts of many property listings.

Before photography, clear unnecessary items from kitchen worktops and dining surfaces. Clean visible appliances, sinks and surfaces where possible.

Bathrooms should also be clean and uncluttered.

Put away:

• Toiletries

• Cleaning products

• Laundry

• Personal items

• Bins

• Excess towels

You do not need to remove every item from the property. A practical, lived-in appearance can still work well when the space is organised.

6. Prepare Bedrooms and Living Areas

Bedrooms should look comfortable and organised.

Make the beds, straighten pillows and remove clothing from chairs or visible surfaces.

In living rooms, arrange sofas and chairs neatly. Remove unnecessary objects from tables and make sure important features are visible.

If a room is small, consider removing furniture that makes the space difficult to see.

The objective is not to make the property look artificial. It is to present the available space clearly.

7. Check Lighting and Windows

Natural light can be useful for property photography.

Before the photographer arrives, check that curtains and blinds can be opened and that windows are reasonably clean.

It is also worth checking light bulbs throughout the property.

Working lights can be particularly useful in:

• Hallways

• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Bedrooms

• Rooms with limited natural light

The photographer can then decide which lighting approach works best for each room.

8. Prepare the Property for the Floor Plan

A floor plan needs access to the areas that are being measured or represented.

Before the appointment, make sure rooms are accessible and avoid placing large amounts of furniture directly against areas that may need to be inspected.

Tell the service provider about:

• Extensions

• Converted rooms

• Multiple floors

• Unusual layouts

• Outbuildings

• Recent alterations

• Areas that may require special access

A professional floor plan can help potential buyers and tenants understand how the property is arranged.

You can learn more about our professional property floor plan service.

9. Keep Personal Information Out of Photographs

Property photography can capture more than you expect.

Before the appointment, remove documents and objects containing sensitive personal information from visible areas.

Examples include:

• Passports

• Bills

• Letters

• Bank documents

• Personal paperwork

• Children’s school information

• Documents showing phone numbers or addresses

This is a simple precaution that can help prevent unnecessary personal information from appearing in property marketing images.

10. Tell the Provider About Occupied Properties

If the property is occupied by tenants or family members, make sure everyone knows when the appointment is taking place.

This is particularly important when several services are being completed during the same visit.

Let occupants know:

• The appointment date

• Expected arrival time

• Which rooms need access

• Whether outdoor areas need to be accessible

• That photography will take place

• Whether pets need to be moved temporarily

Good communication can make the appointment more comfortable for everyone.

11. Consider Booking the Services Together

If you need an EPC, professional photography and a floor plan for the same property, arranging them together may reduce appointment coordination.

EPC Rate London provides options for EPC, floor plan and property photography bookings.

The booking page currently allows customers to select combinations including:

• EPC

• Floor Plan

• Property Photography

• EPC & Floor Plan

• EPC & Property Photography

• Floor Plan & Property Photography

• EPC, Floor Plan & Property Photography

The exact services you need will depend on your property and marketing requirements.

For a broader look at combining the services, read our Estate Agent Property Marketing Package London guide.

12. Why One Property Visit Can Be Convenient

Selling or renting a property can involve a lot of appointment planning.

If the EPC, photography and floor plan are arranged separately, you may need to coordinate different dates and access arrangements.

Where the services can be completed during the same visit, the process may be simpler.

This can be particularly useful for:

• Estate agents

• Letting agents

• Landlords

• Homeowners

• Property managers

• Property developers

• Properties between tenancies

A combined approach does not replace the need to prepare the property. It simply gives you an opportunity to organise several property marketing requirements together.

13. London Areas Covered

Property owners across London may need EPC, photography and floor plan services when preparing homes for sale or rent.

This can include properties in areas such as:

• Croydon

• Thornton Heath

• Mitcham

• Clapham

• Streatham

• Tooting

• Sutton

• Other London and surrounding areas

For example, a landlord preparing a property in Croydon CR0, an owner in Mitcham CR4, or an estate agent marketing a property in Tooting SW17 may need several property services before the listing goes live.

Availability can depend on the property address, service required and appointment schedule, so provide the postcode when making an enquiry.

14. A Simple Pre-Appointment Checklist

Use this checklist before your EPC, photography and floor plan appointment.

EPC

• Check whether an existing EPC is valid

• Check the EPC expiry date

• Have recent improvement information available

• Make heating and relevant areas accessible

• Tell the assessor about unusual property features

Photography

• Clean visible surfaces

• Remove unnecessary clutter

• Make beds

• Tidy kitchens

• Clean bathrooms

• Organise hallways

• Open curtains and blinds where appropriate

• Check light bulbs

• Tidy outdoor areas

• Remove personal documents

Floor Plan

• Make every relevant room accessible

• Clear unnecessary obstacles

• Mention extensions or unusual layouts

• Mention converted spaces

• Make sure all floors can be accessed

• Tell the provider about relevant alterations

Appointment

• Confirm the property address

• Confirm the appointment date

• Prepare keys

• Inform tenants or occupants

• Make sure parking or access arrangements are clear

• Tell the provider about any time restrictions

15. What Should You Do After the Appointment?

Once the services are completed, check the materials before publishing your property listing.

For the EPC, check the property details and rating.

For photographs, make sure the images represent the property accurately.

For the floor plan, check that the property layout and room information are correct.

Keeping these materials together can make it easier to provide your estate agent or marketing team with everything required for the listing.

If you want more information about preparing your property for sale, read our guide to EPC for selling a property in London.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an EPC, photography and floor plan together?

Yes. EPC Rate London provides a booking option for EPC, floor plan and property photography services. You can select the required combination through the property services booking page.

Do I need to clean the property before an EPC assessment?

An EPC assessment is not a cleanliness inspection. However, keeping relevant areas accessible can make the assessment easier.

Should I declutter before property photography?

Yes. Removing unnecessary clutter can help rooms look clearer and make important features easier to see in photographs.

What information should I have ready for an EPC?

If available, keep information about heating, insulation, windows, hot water systems, solar panels and recent energy-efficiency improvements accessible.

Is a floor plan useful when selling or renting a property?

Yes. A floor plan can help prospective buyers and tenants understand the property’s layout and how different rooms connect.

Can landlords use the same services?

Yes. Landlords preparing a property for rental can arrange an EPC, professional photography and a floor plan as part of their wider property preparation.

Does every property need a new EPC?

No. If a valid EPC already exists, you may not need a new assessment simply because the property is being sold or rented. Always check the certificate and the latest official requirements.

Where can I check the latest EPC requirements?

For current legal and regulatory information, use the official GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificate guidance.

Get Your London Property Ready

Preparing an EPC, professional property photography and a floor plan does not have to be complicated.

Start by checking your existing EPC. Then make sure the property is accessible, prepare each room for photography and clear the areas needed for the floor plan.

If you need several services for the same property, you can explore professional property photography in London, professional floor plans and EPC services.

You can also book your EPC, photography and floor plan services together and provide your property postcode and preferred date.

For current EPC rules and requirements, always refer to the latest GOV.UK guidance.