Do You Need an EPC to Apply for the Warm Homes Plan?
A common question from London homeowners and landlords looking into the Warm Homes Plan is whether they need to have an Energy Performance Certificate in place before they can apply. The answer is slightly nuanced, so it is worth understanding exactly what is required.
What the scheme requires
To qualify for Warm Homes Plan funding, your property generally needs to have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G. Properties rated A, B, or C are typically excluded because they are already considered reasonably efficient.
However, the scheme does not require you to present an existing EPC at the point of enquiry. If your property has never been assessed, or if your existing certificate has expired, this does not automatically disqualify you. An EPC can be arranged as part of the assessment process.
How to check your current EPC rating
The government maintains a public register of EPC certificates. You can search by postcode to see whether your property has a current certificate. EPCs are valid for ten years from the date of issue.
If your property has a certificate that is less than ten years old, the rating shown is the one that will be used initially to determine whether you meet the EPC requirement. If you believe the rating is inaccurate, or if significant improvements have been made since the certificate was issued, a new assessment may reflect a different rating.
What if you do not have an EPC?
If your property has never been assessed, or if the existing certificate has expired, you will need an EPC before any funded works can be confirmed. In many cases, an EPC assessment can be arranged as part of the wider Warm Homes Plan process, either through your local borough council or as part of the retrofit assessment pathway.
An EPC is carried out by an accredited domestic energy assessor. The assessment takes around an hour for a typical property and covers the construction, heating system, insulation, and windows. The assessor then produces a certificate showing the current rating and a potential rating if recommended improvements were made.
The difference between an EPC and a retrofit assessment
It is worth being clear on the distinction between an EPC and a PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessment, as they are different things.
An EPC is a standardised rating of a property's energy efficiency. It is used to determine eligibility for the Warm Homes Plan and is required for all rental properties.
A PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessment is a detailed technical survey of the property carried out by an accredited Retrofit Assessor. It is a mandatory step before any Warm Homes Plan funded work can begin, regardless of whether you already have an EPC. The retrofit assessment goes into much more detail than an EPC and results in an Improvement Measures Report that sets out which works are appropriate and in what sequence.
You may need both, but they serve different purposes and are carried out by different accredited professionals.
In summary
You do not need to have a current EPC before making an initial enquiry about the Warm Homes Plan. However, your property will ultimately need to be assessed and found to have a qualifying rating of D or below before funded works can proceed. If you are unsure about your property's current rating, checking the public EPC register is a good first step.