EPC in Hackney

Since April 2020, all privately rented domestic properties in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of at least E before a landlord can grant a new tenancy or renew an existing one. There are limited exemptions, such as where all cost-effective improvements have already been made (the 'all improvements made' exemption) or where the cost of improvements exceeds the cap. Exemptions must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and last for five years.

The main factors are wall insulation, loft insulation, floor insulation, window glazing type, boiler efficiency and heating controls, hot water system, lighting, and any renewable energy sources such as solar panels. The age and construction type of the building set the baseline, while upgrades to insulation and heating are the most effective ways to improve the score.

The most cost-effective measures are usually loft insulation (can improve the rating by up to 10 points), cavity wall insulation, upgrading to a condensing boiler with a programmer and room thermostat, switching to LED lighting, and draught-proofing. For properties with solid walls, external or internal wall insulation gives the biggest single improvement but is more expensive. The EPC report itself lists recommended measures with estimated costs and savings.

An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date it is lodged on the register. You do not need to renew it within that period unless you carry out improvements and want the better rating reflected for marketing purposes. However, if you are letting a property and the current EPC shows a rating below E, you will need to make improvements and commission a new EPC to demonstrate compliance.

No. An EPC is only required when a property is built, sold, or rented out. Owner-occupiers who are not selling do not need one. Listed buildings are generally exempt from the requirement, as are places of worship, temporary buildings with an intended life of less than two years, and stand-alone buildings with a floor area under 50 square metres.

Hackney Council has a strong enforcement record in the private rented sector and operates Additional HMO Licensing borough-wide. The council has issued some of the largest civil penalties in London for housing standard breaches. Landlords in Hackney should ensure their fire risk assessments, EICRs, and fire alarm installations are fully up to date, as the enforcement team regularly inspects licensed HMOs. The general legal requirements for epc apply across England, but London Borough of Hackney may have additional conditions attached to property licences or local enforcement priorities that affect how the requirements are applied in practice.

Hackney's housing stock is a mix of Georgian townhouses in Clapton and De Beauvoir, Victorian terraces across Stoke Newington and Dalston, large post-war estates in Hoxton and Haggerston, and an increasing number of modern developments. The borough has a large private rented sector and a significant number of HMOs, particularly in areas like Hackney Central and Stamford Hill. Many older properties have been converted into flats, often without the level of fire separation and detection that current standards require. Common property types that require this service include Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces converted into flats, post-war council estates, modern new-build apartments. The specific requirements depend on the property type, tenure, and how the building is used.