Choosing The Right EPC Assessor For Your Property

If you need a new Energy Performance Certificate because you are preparing to sell or rent out a property, finding someone who can visit quickly may feel like the main priority.

However, the right EPC assessor needs to be accredited, qualified to assess your type of property and able to provide a certificate that can be lodged on the official register.

You do not need to arrange a new EPC simply because you own and live in a home. If you are not selling or renting it out, you do not normally need to renew the certificate when it expires.

Newly constructed properties also require an EPC, but they follow a separate on-construction assessment route.

Choosing carefully can help you avoid booking the wrong assessment, chasing missing paperwork or discovering that your certificate does not meet the needs of your sale, tenancy or commercial property transaction.

This guide explains how to find an EPC assessor, what to check before booking and how to prepare for the appointment.

AVT UK provides professional domestic and commercial EPC assessments for homeowners preparing to sell, landlords, property managers, developers and businesses.

Check Whether The Property Already Has A Valid EPC

Before arranging a new assessment, check whether the property already has an Energy Performance Certificate.

You can use the official Energy Performance Certificate register to search for an existing certificate in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The register allows you to search using:

• The property postcode.
• The street name and town.
• The EPC certificate number, if you have it.

An EPC is normally valid for ten years, although a newer assessment may have replaced the previous certificate during that period.

You may need a new EPC if:

• You are preparing to sell or rent out the property and the existing certificate has expired.
• You are preparing to sell or rent out the property and it does not appear on the register.
• The building has been newly constructed and requires an on-construction EPC.
• The property has been divided, combined, converted or altered so the existing certificate no longer covers it in its current form.

You may also choose to arrange a new assessment after completing energy-efficiency improvements if you want the certificate to reflect the property’s updated rating.
Our guide on how to find your EPC certificate and check whether you need a new one takes you through this process in more detail.

Make Sure The EPC Assessor Is Accredited

A valid EPC must be produced and lodged by an accredited energy assessor.

Accreditation shows that the assessor belongs to an approved scheme and is working within the relevant assessment requirements.

You can use the official GOV.UK assessor service to find an accredited assessor for a home, business property or public building.

When speaking to an assessor, check:

• Which accreditation scheme they belong to.
• Whether they can provide evidence of their accreditation.
• Whether they are qualified for your type of building.
• Whether the final certificate will be lodged on the official register.
• Who you should contact if you have questions about the assessment.

Do not rely on someone simply describing themselves as an energy consultant or building surveyor. They must hold the correct accreditation to produce a valid EPC.

Do You Need A Domestic Or Commercial EPC Assessor?

One of the most important checks is whether the assessor covers the correct type of property.

When Do You Need A Domestic EPC Assessor?

You will normally need an accredited domestic energy assessor when an existing house, flat or apartment requires a new EPC before it is sold or rented out.

You may need to arrange an assessment if:

• You are preparing to sell your home and there is no valid EPC.
• You are planning to rent out a residential property and there is no valid EPC.
• The existing certificate no longer covers the property in its current form.
• You choose to obtain an updated rating after completing energy-efficiency improvements.

If you own and occupy your home and have no plans to sell or rent it out, you do not normally need to renew an expired EPC.

Newly completed homes follow a separate on-construction EPC process. The certificate must be produced by an accredited on-construction domestic energy assessor.

Commercial EPC Assessors

A commercial or non-domestic energy assessor may be needed for:

• Offices.
• Retail units.
• Warehouses.
• Industrial premises.
• Restaurants, pubs and hotels.
• Workshops.
• Managed commercial buildings.

Mixed-use properties can be more complicated. A building containing a shop with residential accommodation above it may require different assessments for separate areas.

Tell the assessor how the property is used before booking. This helps confirm which assessment is required and prevents delays once the appointment has been arranged.

What Should You Check Before Booking An EPC Assessor?

The following checks can help you compare assessors and choose the right service for your property.

Do Not Choose An EPC Assessor On Price Alone

The cost of an EPC assessment varies depending on the assessor and the size, type and complexity of the property.

A straightforward two-bedroom house will not require the same time or assessment work as a large warehouse, hotel or mixed-use building.

When comparing quotes, ask what is included.

A clear quote should confirm:

• The type of EPC being provided.
• The property or areas included.
• The cost of the site visit.
• Whether certificate lodgement is included.
• Any additional charges for complex layouts or repeat visits.
• The expected timescale.

A very low quote is not necessarily better value if the assessor is unavailable when you need them, does not cover the right property type or provides little support when questions arise.

What Information Should You Give The Assessor?

Giving the assessor clear information before the appointment helps them prepare and can reduce delays.

They may ask for:

• The full property address.
• The building type and current use.
• The approximate floor area.
• The number of floors or separate units.
• Whether the property is domestic, commercial or mixed-use.
• Details of extensions or conversions.
• Information about heating, hot water and renewable technologies.
• The reason the EPC is needed.
• Any deadline linked to a sale, tenancy, lease or handover.

Commercial assessors may also need floor plans, details of different activity areas and information about lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

What Evidence Should You Have Ready?

An EPC assessor records what can be seen and what can be supported by suitable evidence.

If insulation or improvement work is hidden behind walls, floors or ceilings, the assessor may not be able to record it without reliable documentation.

Useful information may include:

• Building Regulation completion documents.
• Guarantees or certificates for insulation work.
• Receipts and specifications for replacement windows.
• Boiler and heating-system details.
• Documentation for solar panels or other renewable technologies.
• Plans showing extensions and alterations.
• Previous EPCs.

Ask the assessor what evidence they can accept before the visit. This gives you time to gather the right documents rather than trying to find them while the assessment is taking place.

How Should You Prepare The Property?

The assessor will need reasonable access to the parts of the property that affect its energy performance.

Before the appointment:

• Make sure keys are available for all relevant areas.
• Provide access to the boiler, heating controls and hot-water system.
• Clear access to the loft hatch where it is safe to do so.
• Make sure meters and plant rooms can be reached.
• Have details of insulation and improvement work ready.
• Tell tenants, employees or site teams that the assessor will be attending.
• Explain any access restrictions in advance.

For a commercial EPC, the assessor may need access to office areas, storage rooms, plant spaces and other zones with different heating, lighting or ventilation arrangements.

What Happens During An EPC Assessment?

The assessor will visit the property and collect information about the features that affect its expected energy performance.

Depending on the building, this may include:

• Its age, size and construction.
• Walls, roofs, floors and insulation.
• Windows, doors and glazing.
• Heating and hot-water systems.
• Heating controls.
• Lighting.
• Ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
• Renewable energy technologies.

The information is entered into approved assessment software to calculate the EPC rating and produce recommendations.

The assessor should then lodge the certificate on the official register and provide you with a digital copy.

How Long Does It Take To Receive The EPC?

The site visit is only one part of the process.

The assessor must review the information, complete the calculation and lodge the certificate.

The exact timescale depends on:

• The size and complexity of the property.
• Whether all required areas were accessible.
• Whether supporting evidence was available.
• The type of assessment.
• The assessor’s workload.

If you are working towards a fixed completion, tenancy or handover date, do not leave the EPC until the last minute.

Tell the assessor your deadline before booking and ask when the lodged certificate is expected to be available.

What If The EPC Rating Is Lower Than Expected?

An EPC gives you more than a letter rating. It also highlights areas where the property’s expected energy performance may be improved.

A lower result may relate to:

• Insulation levels.
• Heating systems and controls.
• Windows and glazing.
• Lighting within commercial buildings.
• Renewable technologies.
• The construction and age of the property.

The recommendations are a useful starting point, but an EPC does not provide a full investigation into how the building is performing day to day.

If the certificate raises wider questions about heat loss, air leakage, ventilation or high energy use, AVT UK can support you with energy efficiency testing and reporting, Heat3D thermal heat loss surveys and other building performance assessments.

Warning Signs To Look Out For When Choosing An Assessor

Take care if someone:

• Cannot confirm their accreditation.
• Does not ask what type of property you have.
• Offers to produce a certificate without visiting the building.
• Cannot explain what is included in the price.
• Promises a particular rating before carrying out the assessment.
• Does not explain whether the certificate will be lodged.
• Provides no clear contact details or complaints process.

If you are unhappy with an assessment, you should first raise the issue with the assessor. If it cannot be resolved, you can contact their accreditation scheme. The relevant scheme details should appear on the certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding An EPC Assessor