Coronavirus – Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Posted on April 8th, 2020

The Government has released advice on meeting the regulatory requirement to secure a valid Energy Performance Certificate on marketing a property during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement when a property is sold, let or constructed and must be completed by an accredited assessor unless an exemption can be applied.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-energy-performance-certificates

• EPC assessments should only be conducted in accordance with government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and where the EPC assessment can be conducted safely.
• An EPC is a legal requirement when a property is sold, let or constructed and must be completed by an accredited assessor using standard assessment procedures.
• Where a property is occupied, parties must endeavour to agree that the transaction can be delayed, so that an EPC assessment can proceed when stay-at-home measures to fight coronavirus (COVID-19) are no longer in place.
• If moving is unavoidable and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, and a valid EPC is not available from the register, an assessment may need to be conducted. In these circumstances, government guidelines on staying away from others to minimise the spread of the virus must be followed alongside the guidance for carrying out work in people’s homes.
• EPC assessments can continue in cases where your property is vacant.
• No assessments should take place if any person in the property is showing symptoms, self-isolating or being shielded – if securing an EPC is critical you should seek to reschedule your appointment when it is safe to do so in accordance with Government guidelines on staying away from others.