EPC needed for a new tenancy? Three quotes from accredited DEAs.
FixQuotes briefs the assessment to accredited Domestic Energy Assessors local to the property and returns comparable quotes — same scope, same lodgement timeline, same recommendations report. Free for UK landlords, letting agents, and property managers.
- Accredited DEAs only — Elmhurst, Stroma, ECMK, BRE, or NES
- Comparable quotes — assessment, lodgement on the EPC Register, recommendations report
- Required for any new tenancy in England and Wales (2008+); valid 10 years
- Free for landlords and agents — pay nothing to FixQuotes
What an EPC is — and what it doesn't tell you
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), based on a standardised assessment of the building fabric, heating system, hot-water system, lighting, and ventilation. It's been required on new lettings in England and Wales since 2008 and on sales since the same period. The certificate is valid for 10 years and is lodged on the central EPC Register at gov.uk.
The headline rating reflects modelled energy use under standard occupancy assumptions, not actual bills — two identical EPCs can sit on properties with very different real-world running costs because the calculation doesn't account for how the tenant uses the property. The accompanying Recommendations Report is more practically useful: it lists the specific measures that would lift the rating, in priority order, with indicative costs.
Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations 2015, no new tenancy in England and Wales can be granted on a property below an EPC E rating, and the same restriction has applied to existing tenancies since April 2020. The current government has consulted on raising the minimum to EPC C, with 2030 the most-discussed target — see our MEES guide for the current state.
What a credible EPC quote should contain
An EPC is regulated work — only an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) can carry it out and lodge the certificate on the EPC Register. Accreditation runs through five UK schemes: Elmhurst Energy, Stroma Certification, ECMK, BRE Global, or NES (Northgate Energy Solutions). The quote should name the scheme and the assessor's accreditation number; both can be verified on the relevant scheme's online register.
A meaningful EPC quote covers four things. The assessment — typically 30–60 minutes on site, with the assessor measuring the property and noting fabric, heating, and lighting details. The lodgement fee — the EPC Register charges a small fee per certificate, usually bundled. The Recommendations Report — generated automatically by the assessment software and included with the certificate. Turnaround — typical lodgement within 1–3 working days of the visit; same-day lodgement is sometimes available at a small premium.
When to commission a new EPC
Three triggers. Existing certificate expired or expiring — EPCs are valid 10 years, and a property can't be re-let on an expired certificate. Property change of letting — if you've got a fresh tenancy starting and the existing EPC is more than ~3 years old, a fresh one is sometimes worth commissioning to capture any improvements made in the interim. After significant works — a new boiler, full window replacement, loft insulation upgrade, or solar PV install can lift the rating by a band or more. Re-assessing post-works gets that improvement on the certificate.
Don't commission a fresh EPC immediately before a planned upgrade. Wait until the upgrade is done and re-assess against the improved fabric — otherwise the certificate captures the pre-upgrade rating for the next decade.
EPC vs EICR vs Gas Safety — they're not the same thing
The three main let-property certificates are sometimes confused. The EPC covers energy efficiency and is renewed every 10 years. The EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) covers electrical safety and is renewed every 5 years on let property in England under the 2020 regulations. The Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) covers gas-appliance safety and must be renewed annually under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Some assessors offer EPC + Gas Safety as a bundled visit, and some offer EPC + EICR + Gas Safety on the same property visit through a partner network. FixQuotes can source quotes for any combination — tell us which certificates you need and the brief will cover them.
What a comparable quote includes
Every quote we return for this job type uses the same template, so you can compare like-for-like. You’ll see:
- Time on site allowance — typically 30–60 minutes for a 1- to 3-bed flat or house
- Lodgement on the EPC Register (gov.uk)
- Recommendations Report with indicative costs and impact for each measure
- Accreditation scheme and DEA number for verification
- Lodgement turnaround (typically 1–3 working days)
- Same-day lodgement option where the property is being marketed urgently
- Public liability insurance level and policy expiry
- VAT inclusion and any tenant access requirements
Accreditation, scheme oversight, and what 'lodged' actually means
An EPC isn't valid until it's lodged on the central EPC Register — the assessor's print-out doesn't count as the legal certificate, only the lodged version does. Lodgement is done by the assessor's software at the end of the assessment. The five accreditation schemes (Elmhurst, Stroma, ECMK, BRE, NES) maintain online registers where you can verify any DEA's accreditation by their unique number. Quotes through FixQuotes always name the scheme and assessor number so you can sense-check before authorising the visit. None of this is legal advice — for specific cases, consult your local authority housing team or a solicitor.
Where works require legally regulated qualifications (for example Gas Safe registration for gas works, or Part P competence for fixed electrical work), users should verify the contractor's credentials directly before authorising the work.
Common questions
How much does an EPC cost in the UK?
Independent EPC assessments for a typical 1- to 3-bed property usually quote in a £60–£120 range, including lodgement on the EPC Register and the Recommendations Report. Larger properties (4+ bedrooms, HMOs) sit higher — £100–£180 isn't unusual. Same-day lodgement, where available, sometimes carries a £20–£40 premium.
Is an EPC legally required to let a property?
Yes. Since 2008 in England and Wales, a valid EPC must be in place before a property can be marketed for let, and a copy must be made available to prospective tenants. Since April 2020, the property must rate at least EPC E under the MEES Regulations 2015 — properties rated F or G can't be lawfully let unless an exemption is registered.
How long does an EPC last?
10 years from lodgement. After that, the property needs a new assessment before it can be re-let. Some landlords commission earlier re-assessments after significant upgrades (boiler, insulation, glazing) to capture the improvement on the certificate.
Can I do the EPC myself or use a free online tool?
No. EPCs must be carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor and lodged on the central EPC Register. Online tools that generate energy estimates are not the same thing and are not legally valid certificates.
Is the same assessor used for the EPC and the Recommendations Report?
Yes — the Recommendations Report is generated automatically by the same assessment software at the same visit, based on the data captured. There's no separate fee for the report; it comes bundled with every EPC.
Do you offer EPC + EICR + Gas Safety bundles?
We can source quotes for any combination. Some assessors and contractor networks offer all three on the same visit; others specialise. The brief notes which certificates you need so quotes come back accordingly.
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