Commercial EPC — from £249.99

What is a commercial EPC?

A commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency of a non-domestic building on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It is produced using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) — a government-approved calculation methodology that accounts for the building's fabric, orientation, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and any on-site renewable energy systems. The output is a standardised certificate showing the current energy rating, a potential rating achievable through improvements, and specific improvement recommendations ranked by likely impact.

Commercial EPCs must be obtained before any commercial property is sold, rented out, or newly constructed. The obligation rests with the seller or landlord, and the certificate must be made available free of charge to any prospective buyer or tenant before the property is placed on the market. Unlike domestic EPCs — which are assessed using the RdSAP methodology — commercial assessments require an on-site survey by an accredited non-domestic energy assessor (DEA). Our assessors collect all the data needed and lodge the certificate on the national EPC register within 1–2 business days of their visit.

For commercial landlords, the EPC is not just a legal formality — it is an increasingly important compliance document given the trajectory of MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) regulations. Properties that currently sit at a D or E rating face stricter requirements on the horizon, making it worth understanding your building's current position and the cost-effectiveness of any improvements before a lease event forces the issue.

Who needs a commercial EPC?

A commercial EPC is required by any owner or landlord who intends to sell, let, or construct a non-domestic building. This includes offices, retail units, restaurants, pubs, warehouses, light industrial units, medical and dental practices, and mixed-use buildings where the commercial element constitutes more than 50% of the floor area. The certificate must exist before the property is marketed — it cannot be obtained retrospectively to satisfy a solicitor or agent's request once heads of terms are agreed.

Commercial landlords renewing existing leases are also affected by MEES regulations if the renewed lease constitutes a new tenancy in law. Properties rated F or G cannot be let — even to existing tenants renewing — without either improving the property or registering a valid exemption. Our assessors can identify the most cost-effective improvement route before any lease event to avoid compliance risk.

MEES regulations for commercial property

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) set a floor below which the energy performance of a commercially let property cannot fall. Since April 2018, landlords have been prohibited from granting new leases on commercial properties with an EPC rating of F or G. Since April 2023, the restriction extended to cover all existing commercial leases — meaning a landlord cannot continue to let an F- or G-rated property even under a pre-existing tenancy without registering a valid exemption.

The government has signalled an intention to raise the MEES minimum for commercial property to a rating of B by 2030, with a possible intermediate step requiring a C rating by 2027. While these dates remain subject to legislative confirmation, forward-thinking landlords are already assessing the cost of improvements needed to meet future standards. A commercial EPC assessment today provides the baseline data needed to model those improvement pathways.

What the commercial EPC assessment covers

Our accredited DEA assessors carry out a thorough on-site survey of the building's energy-related characteristics. For most premises up to 500m², the visit takes 1–2 hours. The assessor does not require access to internal plant rooms or roof voids in most cases — but access to all main occupied areas and a copy of any existing building drawings or services documentation is helpful.

The data collected feeds into SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) software, which calculates the building's asset energy performance under standardised occupancy conditions. The result reflects the building's inherent energy characteristics — not how it is actually used — which means the rating is comparable across buildings regardless of occupancy patterns.

Commercial EPC pricing

Fixed pricing by gross internal floor area. All prices include the on-site assessment, SBEM calculation, and lodgement on the government's national EPC register. No hidden charges.

For premises above 850m² or buildings requiring Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM), please call us on 0330 133 0066 for a tailored quote.

Need a domestic EPC instead? See residential EPC pricing →

What's included from £249.99

Every commercial EPC we carry out includes all of the following at the fixed price shown — there are no add-on charges for the certificate, the register lodgement, or the improvement report.

• On-site assessment by an accredited non-domestic DEA assessor
• Full building fabric, services, and systems survey
• SBEM energy modelling using government-approved software
• A–G energy efficiency rating with improvement potential shown
• Detailed improvement recommendations ranked by impact
• MEES compliance assessment — confirmed pass or fail at rating E
• EPC lodgement on the national government register
• PDF certificate suitable for marketing, solicitors, and lenders

Commercial EPC — frequently asked questions

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