Energy performance plays a major part in choosing an office space, even if it’s not the first thing teams think about. An EPC helps you understand running costs, comfort levels, and future compliance — all issues that matter when you’re planning a move or comparing spaces across the city.
If you’re exploring new offices, here’s everything you need to know to make confident, informed decisions.
What is a commercial EPC?
A commercial EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) shows how energy-efficient a non-domestic building is. For office seekers, it’s one of the quickest ways to understand how well a space performs day to day.
It gives the building a grade from A (best) to G (worst), along with estimated energy costs and recommendations for improvements. Office buildings fall under this category, as do shops, warehouses, and hospitality spaces, although this guide focuses on offices.
Every certificate is available on the commercial EPC register, which means you can check an office’s rating before booking a viewing.
When you’re comparing spaces with similar layouts, location, and price, the EPC rating often reveals hidden differences in comfort and long-term costs.
Related read: BREEAM Ratings: All You Need to Know
How does commercial EPC grading work?
Commercial EPC grades run from A to G, and each letter gives you a snapshot of how efficiently an office building uses energy. It’s a quick way to understand how the space is likely to feel throughout the year and what your running costs might be. Here’s what each grade actually means when you’re looking for a new office.
- A — Excellent: This is the highest rating. An A-rated office has strong insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and low day-to-day energy use. These buildings are comfortable, stable in temperature, and usually cheaper to run. You’ll find this rating most often in newer developments or recently refurbished spaces.
- B — Very Good: B-rated office performs very well and is built or upgraded with energy efficiency in mind. Heating, lighting, and ventilation tend to be modern and predictable. For most teams, a B rating strikes a great balance between comfort and cost.
- C — Good: C-rated offices are solid, reliable spaces that meet good energy standards. They may not have the latest systems, but they’re still efficient enough to support a comfortable work environment. Many well-maintained period buildings sit in this band.
- D — Satisfactory: A D rating is common in older or unrefurbished offices. These buildings are generally fine to work in but may have higher energy bills or more noticeable temperature changes throughout the year. If you’re considering a D-rated space, it’s worth factoring in potential improvements later on.
- E — Minimum Legal Standard: An E rating is the lowest score you can legally lease today. Offices at this level meet basic compliance but may feel less consistent in temperature or cost more to run. If you’re signing a longer lease, it’s worth checking whether the landlord has plans to upgrade the building.
- F — Below Standard: An F-rated building cannot legally be leased until improvements are made. It signals issues like outdated systems or poor insulation. These offices often need significant upgrades before they’re suitable for tenants.
- G — Poor: A G rating is the lowest possible grade. These buildings have very low energy efficiency and cannot be rented out in their current state. They usually require major refurbishment to meet minimum standards.
How much for a commercial EPC?
The commercial EPC cost varies depending on the building. For offices, the price usually reflects the square footage, the number of floors, the layout, and whether documentation is available,
Most offices fall somewhere between £150 and £750 for an assessment. Larger or unusually complex buildings may cost more.
For anyone searching for an office, the fee isn’t yours to pay — but it’s helpful to know the typical range so you can spot when a landlord is organising things properly.
Who pays for a commercial EPC?
The landlord or building owner. They’re required to arrange and pay for the certificate before marketing the office to potential tenants.
If you’re the one searching for a workspace, you shouldn’t be asked to cover this. Your role is simply to check the rating before making a decision.
What are the EPC requirements for commercial properties in 2025?
Anyone planning an office move needs to keep an eye on the rules around energy performance, because they’re getting tighter. Right now, any office you lease must have a minimum EPC rating of E, and buildings with an F or G rating can’t legally be rented out until the landlord brings them up to standard. It’s a shift that’s already changing the market, and the government is expected to introduce even higher requirements in the coming years as part of the UK’s wider energy strategy.
All of this affects the pool of offices available to you. Some older buildings are being refurbished to meet compliance, while others are staying off the market until major upgrades are complete. Many landlords are taking the opportunity to modernise their spaces, meaning energy-efficient offices are becoming far more common — and they’re genuinely worth prioritising if you’re signing a long lease. A stronger EPC rating usually means lower running costs, fewer surprises during extreme weather, and a workspace that feels more comfortable for your team day to day. It’s one of those details that can make your next office a much better place to work.
Is it illegal to sell or rent an office without an EPC?
Yes. Offices can’t be marketed, leased, or sold without a valid, up-to-date EPC. It must be available to you as a prospective tenant.
If an EPC is missing, out-of-date, or the landlord can’t provide one, the space isn’t ready to let. It’s usually a sign that essential work hasn’t been done or the building isn’t yet compliant.
How long is a commercial EPC valid?
A commercial EPC is valid for 10 years, unless major upgrades change the building’s performance.
If you’re touring offices and notice that a certificate is close to expiring, it’s worth asking when the next assessment will take place. Older certificates may not reflect recent improvements or changes to the building.
How long does an EPC take?
Most office assessments take 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size and layout.
After the visit, assessors upload the results to the commercial EPC register, typically within a few days. If you’re moving quickly and need confirmation fast, same-week turnaround is common.
How to improve commercial EPC rating (for office owners and managed tenants)
If you’re responsible for your own building or managing the energy performance of your workspace, improvements can make a noticeable difference to comfort and running costs.
The most effective upgrades for office buildings include:
- Smarter heating and cooling: Modern HVAC systems run more efficiently and give better temperature control for hybrid teams.
- Improved insulation: Older office buildings often lose heat through roofs and walls. Better insulation helps keep temperatures steady.
- LED lighting: Lighting makes a bigger impact than most people expect. LEDs reduce energy use and create a brighter, more pleasant workspace.
- Building controls: Automated thermostats and occupancy sensors help avoid wasted energy, especially in hybrid setups where desks aren’t used at full capacity every day.
- Draught-proofing: Windows, doors, and frames make a big difference to day-to-day comfort.
For tenants who don’t control the building, it’s worth asking the landlord about planned improvements before signing a long lease. Higher-rated offices tend to be easier to maintain and much more comfortable to work in.
How do I get a commercial EPC?
If you’re a landlord or a business owner responsible for your own premises, getting a commercial EPC starts with booking an accredited non-domestic assessor. They’re the only people qualified to carry out the inspection and upload the results to the national register. You can find an assessor through the official commercial EPC register, through your managing agent, or by contacting companies that specialise in assessments for office buildings. If you’re based in London, it’s worth choosing someone familiar with the city’s mix of older stock and newer developments, as they’ll understand the quirks that often come with capital-based properties.
Tenants searching for a new workspace don’t have to arrange any of this. Your role is simply to ask for the EPC, make sure it’s valid, and use it as part of your decision-making. A good agent or adviser will do the legwork for you, so you can focus on choosing an office that feels right for your team.
What buildings are exempt from commercial EPCs?
Most office buildings require an EPC, but there are a few commercial EPC exceptions that are occasionally relevant:
- Temporary structures
- Certain listed buildings where improvements aren’t permitted
- Standalone buildings under 50 square metres
- Buildings scheduled for demolition
If you’re looking at a space that falls into one of these categories, an EPC may not exist — but this is uncommon for standard offices. If you’re unsure, the landlord should be able to clarify when an EPC is not required for commercial property.
Why EPC ratings matter when choosing your office space
A good office isn’t just about square footage and transport links. Energy performance shapes how the space feels every day.
A stronger EPC rating often means more stable temperatures, lower energy bills, better air quality, fewer surprises during winter and summer peak periods, and a building that’s ready for upcoming regulation changes. If you’re comparing two offices that look identical on paper, the EPC often reveals which one will be easier and more comfortable to run.
Ultimately, when you’re weighing up locations, transport links, floor plans, meeting rooms, and budgets, the EPC rating often sits in the background. Yet it has a real impact on how your team feels in the space, how predictable your running costs are, and how well the building will perform over time. It’s completely normal not to have this information on hand, and many office listings don’t show it upfront, so most teams understandably miss it during their search.
If you’d like help tracking down commercial EPC information or making sense of how a rating fits into your search, Tally Workspace is here to make things easier. We’ll reach out to landlords and agents for you, gather the details you need, and talk you through what it means for your team in real life. You get a straightforward picture of each office, so choosing a space that feels good to work in — and works for you long term — becomes a much simpler decision.
