Social Housing Providers and the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regime

The use of EPCs has broadened since their introduction and have now become a key metric for measuring the performance of buildings and are used as the basis for energy efficiency targets, for regulatory requirements and as eligibility requirements for funding. 

This consultation is part of the Government’s strategy to improve the overall EPB framework.

Currently, an EPC is valid for 10 years but only needs to be put in place at the point of build, marketing for sale or grant of a tenancy (but not when a current tenant renews or extends their tenancy). On expiry, a new EPC is not required until one of the triggers takes place, and even then a 28-day period is allowed for an EPC to be produced after marketing has begun. As a result, many EPCs do not need to be renewed on expiry and there may be longer-term tenants living in properties without a valid EPC. 

The consultation proposes (amongst other things) that the validity period of EPCs be reduced (with 2, 5 and 7 years being suggested) and views are also sought on the transition. There are no current proposals to require an expired EPC to be renewed during the term of a socially rented property (although in relation to private rented sector properties, it is proposed that a valid EPC will have to be in place throughout a tenancy). It is also proposed that the 28-day grace period is removed so that an EPC will need to be in place before a property is marketed for sale or rent. 

The consultation covers England and Wales and covers five key areas:

• clarifying and consolidating regulations, and focusing on improving the applicability, quality, and data usage of energy certificates in domestic and non-domestic buildings
• updating EPC metrics
• refining requirements for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
• improving data management protocols and strengthening quality control
• revising air conditioning inspection reports (ACIRs)

Further details of the consultation (which ends on 26 February 2025) can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime#scope-of-the-consultation