EPC in Wandsworth

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.

Wandsworth Council has historically taken a lighter-touch approach to licensing compared to some inner-London boroughs, but enforcement activity has increased in recent years. The borough's large stock of period conversions means that fire safety between flats (compartmentation, fire doors, detection) is a recurring issue flagged in fire risk assessments. EPC compliance is also a focus for the large buy-to-let market. The general legal requirements for epc apply across England, but London Borough of Wandsworth may have additional conditions attached to property licences or local enforcement priorities that affect how the requirements are applied in practice.

Wandsworth is a large, relatively affluent South London borough with a strong buy-to-let market. Housing ranges from grand Victorian and Edwardian properties in Battersea and Balham (many subdivided into flats), inter-war semis and terraces in Tooting, and modern riverside developments along the Thames at Battersea. The area around Clapham Junction has a particularly high density of converted flats and HMOs. The borough also has pockets of social housing, including several large estates managed by housing associations. Common property types that require this service include Victorian and Edwardian houses converted into flats, inter-war terraces and semis, modern riverside developments, HMOs near Clapham Junction. The specific requirements depend on the property type, tenure, and how the building is used.