When EPCs are required

An EPC is required when a building is constructed, sold or rented out:

a. for buildings that are non-dwellings this requirement started for those buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 10,000m² from 6 April 2008

b. for buildings that are non-dwellings with a total useful floor area greater than 2,500m² this requirement started on 1 July 2008

c. for all remaining buildings that are non-dwellings, save for a few exempted buildings from 1 October 2008

EPCs for the sale or renting out of buildings that are non-dwellings will be valid for 10 years or until a newer EPC is produced for building, if earlier.

From 9 January 2013, it is a requirement for all non-dwellings over 500m² frequently visited by the public to display a valid EPC in a prominent place clearly visible to members of the public. This will only apply to buildings where an EPC has been produced for that building.

If a building, or building unit, is subsequently sold, constructed or rented out after 9 January 2013 and an EPC is produced then this must be displayed.

From 9 January 2013 all sales or lettings advertisements in the commercial media^{[footnote 1]} should show the EPC rating of the property being advertised. There is no requirement to display the full certificate but where there is adequate space, the advertisement should show the A-G graph. However, it is recognised that this will not always be possible. In such cases the advertisement should include the actual EPC rating of the property (for example C).