The Energy Performance Certificate
The EPC is a certificate that indicates the energy efficiency of your home.
On this certificate, you can read an EPC figure: this number expresses how much energy a home consumes per square meter per year. The lower your EPC figure, the better your home's energy score is.
Who is responsible for preparing the EPC?
An EPC must be prepared by a certified energy expert. This expert conducts a comprehensive survey in your home to determine its energy score. The energy expert takes into account various factors such as the condition of the heating system and/or boiler, the presence of solar panels, wall and roof insulation, the type of glazing, the orientation of your home, etc.
How long is an EPC valid?
An EPC is valid for ten years in principle. For example, if you resell or rent out your home 5 years after the EPC was prepared, a new EPC does not need to be issued unless significant energy-saving works have been carried out on the property that would significantly affect the energy score of your home.
Only EPCs issued from 2019 onwards are eligible for the sale of a property. Valid EPCs for construction, issued with an EPB declaration, before 2019 can still be used for sale.
For rentals, EPCs issued before 2019 that are still valid at the time of signing the lease agreement can still be used.
What is the difference between an EPC and an EPB?
Properties built with a building permit issued after January 1, 2006, must meet strict energy requirements. For such properties, an EPB file must be prepared when building. EPB stands for 'energy performance and indoor climate'. The file describes to what extent the (new) property meets the legal requirements regarding thermal insulation, energy performance, and ventilation.
Therefore, the EPB file is more comprehensive than an energy performance certificate and provides potential buyers or tenants with additional information. Like the EPC, an EPB file is valid for ten years in principle.
Why do you need an EPC when selling your home?
Although the content of the EPC is purely informative, you cannot sell your home today without having an EPC for the property. The buyer must be informed in advance about the energy consumption of the property: such information can play a role in the decision to purchase or in determining the price. The EPC score of the property must already be mentioned at the start of the sales publicity. The original energy performance certificate must be provided to the buyer no later than the signing of the private sales agreement (compromise).
Why do you need an EPC when renting out your home?
Just like for sales, as a landlord, you must also have a valid EPC certificate in order to rent out a property. The tenant also has the right to know the energy consumption of the property before the lease agreement is concluded. The EPC score of the property must already be mentioned at the start of the rental publicity. If the tenant wishes, they can always obtain a copy of the energy performance certificate at the signing of the lease agreement.
Retrofitting obligation for residential buildings
Since January 1, 2023, the retrofitting obligation applies to residential buildings. All homes and apartments purchased from 2023 with an E or F label must be renovated to a D label or better within 5 years of purchasing the property. This must be proven with a new EPC certificate.
The retrofitting obligation applies:
when authentic deeds of a notarial transfer in full ownership, such as a purchase, donation, etc., are drawn up, when establishing a building right or establishing a leasehold for the actual condition at the time of drawing up the deed or establishing the building right or leasehold. If the unit has a residential purpose at the time of transfer, the retrofitting obligation for residential buildings applies. It does not matter what the future plans are for the property.
The 5-year period starts on the date of the authentic deed or on the date of establishing the building right or leasehold.
Long-term path after 2023
Label D is a first step towards a larger vision. Label A is the ultimate goal for every home or apartment by 2050. The long-term path has been defined with stricter regulations in 2028, 2035, 2040, and 2045.
- Purchase from 2028 to be renovated within 5 years:
- for homes: label C
- for apartments: label C
- Purchase from 2035 to be renovated within 5 years:
- for homes: label B
- for apartments: label C
- Purchase from 2040 to be renovated within 5 years:
- for homes: label A
- for apartments: label B
- Purchase from 2045 to be renovated within 5 years:
- for homes: label A
- for apartments: label A
