An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property from A to G and is a legal requirement when you sell or let in Solihull. What it is, what it costs and how long it lasts.
An Energy Performance Certificate rates how energy-efficient a building is, from A (most efficient) to G (least). If you are selling or letting a property anywhere in Solihull, you are legally required to have one, and the rating must appear in the advertisement.
The short answer
An EPC is produced by an accredited assessor who visits the property, records its construction, insulation, heating, hot water and lighting, and runs those inputs through government-approved software. You get two things: a rating from A to G, and a list of recommended improvements. It is valid for 10 years and starts from £60 for a domestic property.
| Band | SAP score | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A | 92–100 | Excellent — very low energy bills |
| B | 81–91 | Very good — efficient modern home |
| C | 69–80 | Good — the target for landlords by 2030 |
| D | 55–68 | Average — most homes in Solihull sit here |
| E | 39–54 | Below par — current legal minimum to let |
| F–G | 1–38 | Poor — cannot usually be let without works |
When you legally need one
- Before a property is marketed for sale anywhere in Solihull
- Before a property is marketed to let, including a renewal to a new tenant
- When a new building is completed
- When a commercial building is sold, let or substantially modified
The certificate must be commissioned before marketing begins, and you must hold it within 28 days. In practice, Solihull estate agents will not publish a listing without it.
What it costs
| Property size | Typical EPC price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £60 | Next-day available |
| 2–3 bedrooms | £80 | Next-day available |
| 4–5 bedrooms | £100 | Next-day available |
| 6+ bedrooms | On request | Next-day available |
What the rating actually depends on
The calculation is dominated by the building fabric and the heating system, in that order. Walls and roofs carry the most weight, followed by the heating and hot-water system and its controls, then glazing, then lighting. It is worth knowing that the EPC models a standard occupancy pattern — it is a comparison of buildings, not a prediction of your bills.
Solihull's housing stock spans a wide range: solid-walled cottages in the Arden villages, inter-war semis through Shirley and Olton, system-built estate housing in the north of the borough, and modern estates at Monkspath and Dickens Heath. Each of those scores differently, and each responds to different improvements.
Next steps
See our Domestic EPC service, our Commercial EPC service for business premises, or get an instant quote. Landlords should read our MEES consultancy page.
Looking for your own area? We have local EPC guides for Shirley, Olton, Knowle, Dorridge, Solihull town centre, Chelmsley Wood, Castle Bromwich, Balsall Common and every other Solihull area.