A Commercial EPC is one of those documents that can sit quietly in the background until, suddenly, it becomes very important.

• A sale is agreed
• A new tenant is ready to move in
• A solicitor asks for the certificate
• A lender wants to understand the building’s risk
• Or a landlord realises the EPC rating might affect whether the property can legally be let

At that point, the EPC can feel like an administrative hurdle. Something to get done quickly so the deal can keep moving.

But that’s often where the problems start.

A Commercial EPC should never be treated as just another formality. It is a legal document, but it is also a useful indicator of how a building performs, where the risks may be, and what might need to happen next.

Handled properly, it can support better decisions around compliance, lettings, refurbishment, investment and long-term asset value.

Handled badly, it can create confusion, delay and unnecessary cost.

What is a Commercial EPC?

A Commercial Energy Performance Certificate, usually shortened to Commercial EPC, is an energy efficiency certificate for a non-domestic building.

It gives the building an energy rating from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient.

The certificate is produced by an accredited Non-Domestic Energy Assessor, who assesses the property and enters the relevant information into approved software to calculate the building’s energy performance.

That assessment will usually consider things such as:

• The size and layout of the building
• The building fabric
• Heating systems
• Cooling and ventilation
• Lighting
• Hot water
• Building use
• Insulation
• Glazing
• Controls and services

The finished certificate also includes a recommendation report which sets out suggested ways the building’s energy performance could potentially be improved.

That sounds straightforward enough.

In practice, commercial buildings are rarely straightforward.

A small high-street shop, a medical centre, a warehouse, a multi-let office and a mixed-use building may all need a Commercial EPC  but they can be very different assessment jobs. The building’s age, use, services, layout and level of complexity all matter.

That is why the quality of the assessment matters too.

When do you need a Commercial EPC?

In most cases, a Commercial EPC is needed when a non-domestic property is being built, sold or let.

It should normally be available before the property is marketed, not chased down once solicitors, agents, landlords and tenants are already trying to get a transaction over the line.

This is where we often see EPCs being treated as a last-minute job.

That might work if everything is simple, the building is easy to assess, the rating is comfortably above the minimum standard, and the existing information is accurate.

But that is a lot to assume.

If the EPC is missing, out of date, inaccurate or worse than expected, it can hold things up at exactly the point when nobody wants delays.

For landlords, agents and commercial property owners, it is far better to understand the EPC position early.

What types of commercial property need an EPC?

A Commercial EPC may be needed for a wide range of non-domestic properties, including:

• Offices
• Shops and retail units
• Industrial units
• Warehouses
• Restaurants and cafés
• Medical centres and GP surgeries
• Care homes
• Leisure buildings
• Community buildings
• Public buildings
• Mixed-use commercial premises

There are exemptions and some buildings need to be considered carefully before deciding whether an EPC is required.

The safest approach is not to assume.

If a commercial property is being sold, let, altered or reviewed for compliance, the EPC position should be checked properly.

How long does a Commercial EPC last?

A Commercial EPC is generally valid for 10 years, unless a newer EPC is produced for the same building.

But valid does not always mean reliable.

A building can change a lot in 10 years.

• The heating may have been replaced
• Lighting may have been upgraded
• Internal layouts may have changed
• A tenant may have completed a fit-out
• Fabric improvements may have been made
• Or the building may now be used in a different way

There have also been changes to EPC methodology and Building Regulations over time, which means an older certificate may not reflect how the building would perform if assessed today.

So while an EPC may still be in date, it may not always be wise to rely on it for important decisions.

That is especially true if the property is close to a compliance threshold, being prepared for sale, being refinanced, or being reviewed as part of a wider improvement plan.

Why Commercial EPCs matter for landlords

For commercial landlords  an EPC is not just a certificate for the file.

It is directly linked to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, better known as MEES.

For properties that fall within the regulations, commercial landlords generally need a minimum EPC rating of E before granting a new lease, unless a valid exemption applies.

As of June 2026 Government has advised that the band E threshold will apply to a  building under 1000sqm and anything over 1000sqm needs to achieve an EPC band B by 2031 where improvements are cost effective. This is guidance at present and has yet to be made law and is therefore subject to change. At Murton & Co we are advising our clients to use this period of flux to strengthen their assets, improve energy performance and position themselves ahead of both regulation and the market. 

This makes the EPC rating a commercial issue, not just a compliance issue.

A poor rating can affect:

• Whether a property can legally be let
• Lease negotiations
• Tenant confidence
• Refurbishment planning
• Investment decisions
• Asset value
• Future sale or refinancing
• Long-term portfolio risk

This is why landlords should be wary of seeing the EPC as a one-off transaction document.

The certificate may be needed for a lease but the rating can influence the wider strategy for the building.

The danger of the “cheap and cheerful” EPC

We understand why people shop around.

If an EPC is seen as a box to tick, the cheapest quote can look attractive.

But with commercial property  that can be a false economy.

A Commercial EPC is only as good as the assessment behind it. If the wrong assumptions are made, if the building is not properly understood, or if the assessor does not collect the right information, the final rating may not be reliable.

That can cause real problems.

• A rating that is too optimistic may give a landlord false confidence
• A rating that is too poor may create unnecessary panic
• Poor recommendations may send money in the wrong direction
• And an inaccurate certificate can create issues during sale, letting or compliance checks

Commercial buildings often involve more complexity than people expect. Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, controls, zoning, extensions, fit-outs and mixed-use areas can all affect the result.

So the question should not simply be: “How quickly and cheaply can we get an EPC?”.

A better question is: “Can we rely on the assessment when it matters?”.

What happens during a Commercial EPC assessment?

A Commercial EPC assessment usually starts with understanding the purpose of the instruction.

• Is the EPC needed for a sale?
• A new lease?
• MEES compliance?
• A refurbishment plan?
• An investment decision?
• A review of an existing rating?

That context matters.

The assessor will usually visit the property and collect information about the building’s size, construction, layout, services and use.

This may include looking at:

• Existing plans
• Previous EPCs
• Heating and cooling systems
• Ventilation
• Lighting
• Hot water
• Glazing
• Insulation
• Building fabric
• Controls
• Extensions or alterations
• Occupancy and use

Where plans are not available, accurate measurement becomes even more important.

At Murton & Co we place a lot of emphasis on measured survey data because the EPC is only as accurate as the information it is based on.

Once the data has been collected the building is modelled using approved software and the EPC is produced.

For more complex properties, or where the EPC is being used to support a wider decision, the certificate may only be the starting point. Further advice may be needed around MEES, improvement modelling, retrofit options or long-term building performance.

What is the difference between a domestic and commercial EPC?

A domestic EPC applies to residential property.

A Commercial EPC applies to non-domestic property.

That may sound obvious but the distinction matters.

• The assessment method is different
• The software is different
• The assessor qualification is different
• And the complexity of the building can be very different

This becomes particularly important with mixed-use buildings, conversions, commercial units with living accommodation, or properties that have changed use over time.

Using the wrong assessment method can lead to problems, especially where Building Control, solicitors, landlords or lenders are relying on the certificate.

If there is any uncertainty, it is better to check before commissioning the wrong type of EPC.

Can a Commercial EPC help improve a property?

Yes, but only if it is used properly.

The recommendation report that comes with an EPC can provide useful suggestions, but it should not be treated as a fully formed improvement strategy.

Some recommendations may be generic. Some may not be practical. Some may not consider cost, disruption or payback and some may not take account of how the building is actually used.

That is why further advice can be valuable.

For example, improving insulation without thinking about ventilation may create moisture or overheating issues. Replacing heating without understanding the building fabric may not deliver the expected benefit. Upgrading lighting may help but it may not be enough to move the rating where it needs to be.

Energy performance is rarely about one isolated measure.

It is about understanding the building as a whole.

When should you arrange a Commercial EPC?

The best time to arrange a Commercial EPC is before it becomes urgent.

That might mean:

• Before marketing a property for sale or rent
• Before granting a new lease
• Before renewing or extending a lease
• Before buying a commercial property
• Before relying on an old EPC
• Before planning improvement works
• Before making MEES compliance decisions
• Before reviewing a wider property portfolio

Early advice gives you options:

• If the building performs well, you have clarity
• If the rating is poor, you have time to plan
• If the existing EPC is wrong, you have time to deal with it
• If improvements are needed, they can be considered properly rather than rushed under pressure

What should landlords, owners and agents check?

Before relying on a Commercial EPC, it is worth asking a few sensible questions.

• Is the EPC still valid?
• Does it reflect the building as it is today?
• Has the property been altered since the certificate was produced?
• Is the building being sold or let?
• Could MEES apply?
• Is the rating close to a minimum threshold?
• Do the recommendations actually make sense?
• Was the EPC produced by the right level of assessor?
• Is the certificate being used for a decision that needs more detailed advice?

If the answer to any of those questions is unclear it is worth getting advice before the EPC becomes a problem.

More than just a certificate

A Commercial EPC may be a legal requirement but it should not be treated as a paperwork exercise.

Done properly it can help property owners, landlords and agents understand a building more clearly.

• It can highlight compliance risk
• It can inform improvement planning
• It can support better conversations with tenants, buyers, lenders and professional teams
• And it can help avoid costly surprises later

The key is to appoint someone who understands the purpose of the EPC, the building being assessed, and the decisions that may depend on the result.

Murton & Co can help

Murton & Co provides Commercial EPC assessments and practical energy performance advice for property owners, landlords, investors, agents, developers and professional teams.

We help clients understand their EPC position, identify compliance risks and make informed decisions around MEES, improvement works and long-term building performance.

If you need an EPC for commercial property, advice on an existing certificate, or support improving a rating before a sale, letting or refurbishment, getting us involved early can save time, reduce risk and help you move forward with confidence.

Need a Commercial EPC?

If you are selling, letting, buying or reviewing a commercial property, speak to Murton & Co before the EPC becomes a last-minute problem.

Contact our team to discuss your property and the next steps.