EnergyPerformance Certificates (EPC) are required to meet the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). EPC is a mandatory requirement for inclusion in the Home Information Pack. EPC will identify an individual’s property within an energy rating between 1 and 100.

EPC will identify typical fuel costs of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for that particular property. EPC and subsequent rating is intended to assess energy efficiency of that property and the environmental impact. EPC will make recommendations for cost-effective improvements to help cut fuel bills and carbon emissions.

Domestic homes currently account for 27% of the United Kingdom’s carbon emissions, contributing to overall global climate change. It is estimated that following the recommendations in an EPC, an average of £300 a year can be saved in fuel bills.

Home Information Pack

The Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 lay out provisions on the “required” and “authorized” content of the pack. Required documents must be included in the pack where appropriate and authorized documents are discretional. The required documents: An index or contents of the pack

• A sale statement
• Evidence of title
• Standard searches (local authority enquiries)
• Drainage and water search
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Where appropriate, common hold information
• Where appropriate, leasehold information
• Guarantees and warranties
• Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ).

The authorized documents:

• Home Condition Report (HCR)
• Other searches