Energy performance certificate (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is one of the most useful documents to review when choosing off-campus accommodation. It provides information about a property's energy efficiency and can help you understand your likely energy costs, comfort levels, and whether the property meets legal standards.
Student houses can vary greatly in quality, particularly older properties and shared houses (HMOs), so checking the EPC before signing a tenancy agreement is an important step.
The rent is only part of the cost of living off-campus. If you're responsible for paying utility bills, the EPC can help you estimate how much energy the property may use.
- Properties with lower EPC ratings (such as D or E) are often more expensive to heat and run.
- The certificate includes estimated energy costs for heating, hot water and lighting, helping you compare different properties.
An EPC provides information about how well a property retains heat.
- You can check the ratings for wall, roof and floor insulation.
- The report also shows whether the property has single or double glazing, which can affect both comfort and heating costs.
A poorly insulated property may be harder to keep warm and could be more susceptible to issues such as damp and condensation.
Energy bills can be a significant expense in shared accommodation.
- The EPC outlines the efficiency of the property's heating system.
- Knowing how efficient a property is before moving in can help you and your housemates budget more accurately and manage energy use effectively.
Landlords are legally required to make an EPC available to prospective tenants.
- Most privately rented properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E.
- If a landlord is unable or unwilling to provide an EPC, this may be a warning sign and you should ask for further information.
The EPC includes recommendations for improving a property's energy efficiency.
Before signing a tenancy agreement, you may wish to ask the landlord whether any of these improvements are planned, particularly if the property has a lower EPC rating or higher estimated energy costs.
