EPC 101: What Is an EPC - and When Do You Need One?
If you’ve ever wondered what an EPC actually is, and why it matters so much for commercial property, this episode of our EPC 101 video series takes it right back to basics.
Watch Episode 2: What is an EPC
Watch our EPC 101 episode explaining what a non-domestic EPC is, when you need one, and why it matters for MEES compliance.
What Is a Non-Domestic EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a building’s energy efficiency in terms of carbon emissions - from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient).
For non-domestic buildings, EPCs have been a legal requirement since 2008 whenever a property is built, sold, or let. They underpin how energy efficiency and carbon performance are measured across the UK’s commercial property sector.
Why EPCs Matter
Since April 2018, under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), landlords have been legally prohibited from letting a property with an EPC rating below E - unless an exemption has been properly registered.
And this isn’t the end of the story.
Government policy is widely expected to tighten minimum standards further, potentially to a Band B in the future. That means the quality and accuracy of your EPC data today could directly shape your portfolio and CapEx strategy tomorrow.
When Do You Need a New EPC?
Right now, an EPC is required when you:
Sell a commercial property
Let it to a new tenant
Construct or modify a building (for example, splitting or combining units)
EPCs last for 10 years, but once expired, there’s no automatic renewal requirement unless one of these trigger points occurs. (Check out our blog - A lapsed EPC and MEES – what happens at lease renewal?).
However, upcoming regulatory changes may soon link EPC validity to ongoing MEES compliance - so the days of “set it and forget it” could be numbered.
Why It Pays to Get It Right
As Andy explains, not all EPCs are created equal. Accuracy depends heavily on the assessment level and the data modelling approach used, and many low-cost EPCs miss critical compliance risks entirely.
That’s why at MEES Solutions, every EPC is completed by our in-house Level 5 Assessors using detailed 3D building models, ensuring each rating is robust enough to withstand future methodology or regulation changes.
Stay tuned for the next chapter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for free compliance advice and portfolio insights.
Not sure where your portfolio stands? Book a free 30-minute strategy session with Andy here.