Do you need an EPC to sell or let empty commercial property?

If you own empty commercial premises and are considering a sale or a new letting, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) should be addressed as early as possible.

Leaving it too late can delay transactions and limit your options once interest is secured.

An EPC is a legal requirement for most commercial properties that are sold or let. It provides information on the building’s energy efficiency and assigns it a rating from A to G, with A being the best and G the worst.

When is an EPC required for commercial property?

A valid EPC is needed when a commercial property is marketed for sale or letting. In most cases, it must be in place before agents begin advertising the premises.

EPCs are valid for 10 years. If a property has been empty for some time, any existing EPC may have expired, so make sure to double-check the issue date.

Where no EPC exists or has expired, one will need to be commissioned before the property can be properly marketed.

You may also have to request a new EPC if you have made significant improvements to the property’s energy efficiency, as the existing certificate may no longer reflect the building as it stands.

The same can apply to empty premises where a property has deteriorated over time due to lack of use, changes to services or the removal of fittings, meaning an older EPC may no longer provide an accurate picture.

Once an EPC has been produced, the rating is public and cannot be withdrawn.

Minimum energy standards for lettings

The current prohibition on letting commercial property with an EPC rating below E continues to cause difficulty for landlords.

If an empty property returns an F or G rating, a new letting cannot lawfully proceed unless improvement works are carried out or a valid exemption applies.

This can undermine agreed timescales and, in some cases, the commercial terms themselves.

Why are empty properties more exposed?

Empty premises often feel easier to deal with later. There is no tenant to worry about and no immediate transaction driving urgency. That approach can cause problems.

Buildings that have been vacant for an extended period often have older services and fittings. Heating systems, lighting and insulation may no longer meet modern efficiency expectations, even where the property appears to be in reasonable condition.

There is also the issue of perception. Energy efficiency is increasingly part of how buyers and tenants assess buildings.

A low EPC rating can influence value and marketability, even where legal compliance is technically achievable.

Character buildings and limitations

Many commercial landlords own older or character buildings where upgrades may not be as simple as spending some cash on repairs.

Updating traditional lighting or insulation may improve energy efficiency but undermine the look and feel that makes the building attractive in the first place. Where a property is listed or in a conservation area, options may be limited further.

These factors do not remove EPC obligations, but they will affect your strategy. Exemptions may be available in certain circumstances, but they are specific and time limited.

Planning for future standards

Although the current requirements in the UK mandate a minimum rating of E and have been in place since April 2023 for all leased properties, plans to raise this to C by 2027 and to B by 2030 are already under discussion.

Landlords who are already considering upgrading an empty property may wish to factor this into their planning, rather than focusing solely on current requirements. However, this should only be a viable option for landlords who can afford to take on the investment.

Need advice on your empty commercial property?

For landlords with empty premises, an up-to-date EPC is a useful tool for understanding how a building performs and what issues may arise when the property returns to the market.

Early advice from a surveyor can help identify whether improvements are needed, whether exemptions may apply and how EPC issues interact with future sales or lettings.

That planning gives landlords control over timing and cost, rather than forcing them to make decisions under pressure once a deal is agreed.

If you are planning to sell or let vacant commercial premises, get in touch with our commercial property team for expert support.