My EPC is wrong: how to check and challenge it
If you think my EPC is wrong, there is a set route. Check the details on the certificate, gather evidence, raise it with the assessor, then complain to their accreditation scheme if you are still unhappy. This guide is for tenants, landlords and owners. Checked 21 October 2026.
Last updated: 21 October 2026. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, Retrofit Coordinator at LAMTANS Engineering.
Law status, checked 21 October 2026: the route below is official guidance on GOV.UK. The EPC C 2030 rule is confirmed government policy, not yet law.
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Is my EPC really wrong? Check the basics first
An energy performance certificate records details about the home and turns them into a rating. Errors usually sit in those details, so start there.
Find your certificate on the GOV.UK service. You can search by postcode, street name and town, or certificate number. Then read the details line by line.
What to look for
- The wall type: solid or cavity.
- Loft insulation and its depth.
- Whether the home has a boiler, heat pump or other heating, and the controls.
- Windows, floor type and floor area.
- Features that are missing, such as solar panels.
Why a certificate can be off
Assessors usually cannot see inside walls or under floors. They may use age-based defaults. Scheme audit data shows that 24% of audited certificates had a defect and 16% had a significant error, according to a Which? analysis. Defects include small items, such as a missing photo. These figures show the issue is real, not that yours is wrong.
How to challenge an EPC: the official route
GOV.UK sets out two steps. We add the preparation that makes them work.
| Step | What you do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complain to the assessor directly | GOV.UK |
| 2 | If still unhappy, contact the assessor's accreditation scheme | GOV.UK |
| 3 | For a new certificate, have the home assessed by an accredited assessor | GOV.UK |
GOV.UK does not describe a separate process for disputing the rating itself. It also does not give timescales. Use the steps in order.
Step 1: raise it with the assessor
Write to the assessor. Point to the exact lines you think are wrong and attach your evidence. A genuine error can often be put right quickly.
Be factual and polite. Never accuse anyone. State what the certificate says, what you can show and what you ask them to do.
Step 2: make an EPC complaint to the accreditation scheme
The scheme's contact details are on the certificate. Each scheme has its own complaints process. Elmhurst, for example, publishes one that uses an online form. It asks for the assessor's accreditation number, the certificate number and the assessment date. It says investigations typically take up to six weeks, are free for stakeholders and do not take extra evidence once started.
That is one scheme's process, checked on 21 October 2026. Check the one named on your certificate. GOV.UK does not say whether someone who did not commission the certificate can complain, so ask the scheme.
Step 3: get a new assessment
Only an accredited assessor can lodge a replacement certificate. A scheme may ask the assessor to correct it. You can also commission a fresh assessment. The new rating can be higher, the same or lower.
Evidence that helps a challenge
Good evidence turns an opinion into a case. Gather what you can before you write.
- Dated photos of the loft, walls, boiler and windows.
- Invoices and certificates for insulation, glazing or heating work.
- Measurements of rooms, if floor area looks wrong.
- Your own certificate and its number.
An independent EPC check can pull this together into an independent evidence report. It is not an EPC. An accredited assessor must lodge any new certificate.
Who can do what: tenants, landlords and owners
The right move depends on who you are.
| You are | What you can do | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Tenant | Ask your landlord or agent to check; raise it with the scheme | Site data is normally shared only with the owner |
| Landlord | Complain to the assessor and scheme; commission a new assessment | A new EPC can come out lower |
| Owner or seller | The same as a landlord | Keep evidence of work done |
One scheme's terms say assessors need not share their site notes or photos. If they do, it is normally with the owner or with the owner's consent. A tenant therefore often needs the landlord's help.
Why a landlord might want an incorrect EPC rating fixed
The EPC C rule for rentals is confirmed government policy for 1 October 2030, not yet law. Our EPC C 2030 guide explains it. Rentals must reach the equivalent of C on a new certificate. Fixing a real error early can change your plan.
Do not chase a better number for its own sake. A new assessment can lower a rating. Upgrades, not paperwork, are what lift a rating, as our guide to improving an EPC rating shows.
Our adviser tip, from a Domestic Energy Assessor: take dated photos of the loft hatch, boiler label and radiator controls before the assessor visits. These are the details most often missed, and photos are the quickest way to settle a disagreement.
Who we are
Compliant Lets is a trading name of LAMTANS Holdings Ltd. Retrofit work and EPC surveys are delivered by LAMTANS Engineering Ltd. Check the registers yourself: TrustMark, RECC, ICO, Gas Safe Register and Simply Certification.
Book a free retrofit assessment
Sources
- GOV.UK: Get a new energy certificate, checked 21 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Find an energy certificate, checked 21 October 2026
- Which?: Why gaps in the data from EPC audits leave as many questions as answers, checked 21 October 2026
- Elmhurst Energy: Complaints Resolution Process, OP08, checked 21 October 2026
- Elmhurst Energy: Terms and Conditions for Sharing EPC Data by Energy Assessors, checked 21 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Government response on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, checked 21 October 2026
Designed & developed by LAMTANS Technologies LLC, USA — part of the LAMTANS Group
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step if my EPC is wrong?
Complain to the assessor directly, with evidence. GOV.UK says to do that first. If you are still unhappy, contact their accreditation scheme.
How do I find the accreditation scheme?
Its contact details are on the energy performance certificate. Look for the scheme name near the assessor details.
How long does a scheme complaint take?
GOV.UK gives no timescale. One scheme says investigations typically take up to six weeks. Check the scheme named on your certificate.
Can a tenant challenge an EPC?
GOV.UK does not say whether a non-commissioning person can complain. Tenants can ask the landlord or agent to act, or ask the scheme directly.
Can I get a new EPC straight away?
You need a new assessment by an accredited assessor. A new rating can be higher, the same or lower than the old one.
Will a challenge improve my rating?
Only if the certificate records something wrong. If it is correct, the rating stays. Upgrades are what improve a correct rating.
Is a second opinion the same as a new EPC?
No. An independent evidence report is not an EPC. Only an accredited assessor can lodge a certificate.