When an EPC is produced

Legislation requires that the owner ensures that the EPC is affixed to the building irrespective of whether or not the building is to be sold or rented out.

Non-domestic buildings - The EPC should be indelibly marked and located in a position that is readily accessible, protected from weather and not easily obscured. A suitable location could be in a cupboard containing the gas or electricity meter or the water supply stopcock.

Public Buildings (Buildings over 100 sq m open to the public) – The EPC should be indelibly marked and located in a prominent position such as a reception or main entrance foyer.

The EPC consists of the EPC certificate, Output and Recommendations report.

Recommendations do not require to be undertaken but you may wish to give serious consideration to these possible improvements. Not only will they improve the EPC rating but they will reduce the carbon emissions generated and save energy thereby reducing running costs. They could also make your building more attractive to a prospective buyer or tenant and may in time add a green value premium.

An individual EPC will only be valid for a period of ten years. If major works were to be undertaken during this period, building owners may choose to update the certificate. However, this is not mandatory.

The EPC lasts 10 years. It does not require to be updated after 10 years unless the building is sold or a new lease is entered into and the same EPC can be passed to subsequent tenants within this 10 year period.