In 40 seconds
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G and is valid for 10 years. A domestic EPC typically costs £60–£120, with flats often at the lower end and larger homes higher. You normally need a valid EPC when you sell or let a property, and a rented home in England and Wales must currently meet the minimum band E under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015). The assessment must be carried out by an accredited domestic energy assessor on a government-approved scheme, and the certificate is lodged on the national EPC Register. The honest answer on cost is always a range, because it depends on the size, type and location of your property.
Most EPC guidance is published by firms selling certificates or retrofit work, so figures can be optimistic and the rules glossed over. The pages below give typical cost ranges, explain how long a certificate lasts and how to improve a rating, set out when the law requires an EPC, and explain what a good band actually means — before you book anything.