Enforcement

Local weights and measures authorities (usually through their trading standards officers) are responsible for enforcing the regulations that require an EPC to be made available on the sale or rent of a building. Failure to provide an EPC when required means you may be liable to a civil penalty charge notice. Trading standards officers may act on complaints or undertake investigations. Enforcement action may still be taken up to 6 months after any failure has been corrected.

A trading standards officer has the power to ask the seller or landlord to provide them with a copy of the EPC for inspection. If requested, a copy of the EPC must be provided within 7 days or the person to whom the request was made may be liable to a penalty charge notice for failing to comply. A copy of an EPC can be requested at any time up to 6 months after the last day for compliance with the duty to make it available.