Commercial EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates)
Commercial EPCs for offices, shops, warehouses, industrial units, hotels and new commercial builds, with a plain answer on what the rating means for you.
When a Commercial Building Needs an EPC
If you are selling, letting or finishing a commercial building, you will normally need an Energy Performance Certificate. It rates the building from A+ to G and lasts for 10 years.
One Stop Consult coordinates accredited energy assessors for commercial premises and new commercial builds. Homes are covered on our main Energy Performance Certificates page.
When Do You Need a Commercial EPC?
You need one when a commercial building is sold, let or built.
Sold
The EPC should be ready when the building goes on the market.
Let
This covers a letting to a new tenant, as well as assigning a lease or sub-letting.
Built
A new commercial building needs an EPC at completion, produced from the final SBEM calculation.
A part of a building that is designed to be used on its own, such as a shop in a parade, can need its own EPC. One EPC for the whole building can be used when the whole building is sold or let as one. If you’re not sure, send us the plans.
Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5: What’s the Difference?
The level depends on how complicated the building and its heating, cooling and ventilation are. A higher level isn’t a better certificate. It is just the right one for a more complicated building.
Level 3
Simple existing buildings, such as small shops, cafes and offices with simple heating. Worked out with SBEM software.
Level 4
Larger or more complex buildings with mechanical ventilation, air conditioning or advanced controls, and new commercial builds. Worked out with SBEM software.
Level 5
Complex buildings that can’t be modelled reliably with SBEM, such as those with atriums, automatic shading or heavy glazing. Worked out with dynamic simulation modelling.
Send us the plans and details of the building’s services, and we will confirm the level your building needs when we quote.
What Rating Do You Need to Let a Commercial Building?
Today: in England and Wales a privately rented commercial building must be rated at least E, unless a valid exemption is on the government’s register. This has applied to existing leases as well as new ones since 1 April 2023. The penalty can reach £150,000.
The plan for 2031: in June 2026 the government said it plans to require privately rented commercial buildings over 1,000 square metres to reach EPC B from 2031, where cost-effective. Smaller buildings would stay at E. The earlier idea of a C rating by 2027 has been dropped.
This is not yet law. A full government response is still to come, and new regulations must pass through Parliament first. If you own a larger building, it is still worth knowing your rating now.
What If the Building Is Rated F or G?
You have two main choices.
Which Buildings Don’t Need an EPC?
You don’t normally need one for the following. If you think an exemption applies, check before you market the building.
How the Commercial EPC Process Works
The process varies between existing and new buildings. The aim is to collect enough reliable information to calculate and lodge an accurate rating.
What We Need From You
Project Review
Establish the type of EPC needed and the right assessment level.
Assessment
Inspect the building, or review the SBEM, drawings and completion evidence for a new build.
Energy Calculation
Enter the information into the approved assessment software.
Certificate Lodgement
Lodge the EPC on the official register and issue the certificate.
Other Services Your Project May Require
Commercial EPCs are often coordinated alongside energy and compliance services.
Important Commercial EPC Information
The rules on this page apply to England and Wales. Scotland has its own system. The rating depends on the building information available at the time of the assessment. One Stop Consult provides consultancy and coordination support through its specialist assessor network.
Commercial EPC FAQs
How long does a commercial EPC last?
10 years, unless a newer one is lodged for the building.
What is the difference between a Level 4 and a Level 5 EPC?
Both produce the same certificate. Level 4 uses SBEM software and suits most larger offices, shops and warehouses. Level 5 uses more detailed computer modelling and is for complex buildings, such as those with atriums, automatic shading or heavy glazing.
Do I need an EPC to renew a lease?
Government guidance says a lease renewal or extension doesn’t trigger the need for an EPC. The minimum E rating still applies to the letting.
Is EPC B by 2030 the law?
No. EPC B by 2030 was a proposal and never became law. The government’s latest plan is EPC B from 2031 for privately rented commercial buildings over 1,000 square metres, where cost-effective, and that still needs new regulations.
Can each unit in my building have its own EPC?
Yes, if the unit is designed to be used separately. One EPC for the whole building can be used when the whole building is sold or let as one.
Do I need an SBEM as well as an EPC on a new build?
On a new commercial building the SBEM calculation shows that the design meets Part L, and the EPC is produced from the finished calculation. See SAP or SBEM?
Request Your Free Commercial EPC Quote
Complete the form below with the property address, floor area and what the building is used for. Upload any floor plans and existing certificates so our team can review the requirement and coordinate an appropriate quotation.