Request EPC Assessment Data Sharing
At the time of writing, the methodology for EPC assessments of existing dwellings is RDSAP 10. A significant methodology overhaul from RDSAP to the Home Energy Model (HEM) is proposed for 2027. In addition, government consultations indicate future changes to the format of EPCs and minimum rating levels required for private rental properties. Methods for improving EPC ratings may therefore change in the future.
At A Glance
✓ Since June 2024, EPC assessment data can be requested by an authorised person.
✓ The data can include photographs, floorplans and assessment records.
✓ Some information must be redacted before release.
✓ Assessors may charge an administration fee.
✓ An assessor is not necessarily obliged to provide the data.
✓ The information can be useful when checking an EPC for possible errors.
What is EPC assessment data sharing?
In the past, it would have technically been against the law for an energy assessor to provide you with any data that they had collected during the assessment for your Energy Performance Certificate.
This data includes the information entered into the system in order for the EPC rating to be calculated, plus photos taken in order to fulfil auditing requirements of the accreditation scheme, plus any floorplans or site notes that were created.
Fortunately, things have recently changed, and as from the 24th June 2024, an energy assessor can now release this information on request to the building owner, occupier, or landlord (referred to
as the "authorised person"). Data may also be shared with a third party, provided the authorised person gives explicit
consent.
Who Can Request EPC Assessment Data?
EPC assessment data can be requested by:
- The property owner
- The landlord
- The occupier
- A third party with the consent of one of the people listed above
Why Would I Want My Assessment Data?
You may wish to request your data if you:
- think your EPC might contains mistakes
- want a second opinion from another assessor
- are considering improvements
- are disputing an EPC
- need supporting evidence for a complaint
- simply want a permanent copy of the assessment
What Process Is Followed When Requesting EPC Assessment Data?
To start the process you simply ask your energy assessor to provide you with a copy of the assessment data. It is likely you may need to pay a fee for this, but you can make the request either before the EPC has been lodged, so you can check for any potential errors beforehand, or perhaps after the EPC has been lodged on the national register.
Before releasing any data, energy assessors must be confident of the status of the person making the request, and some accreditation bodies may require the assessor to complete a form to notify them if the request.
There is some information that must be redacted from any data, before being shared, but this is limited to Green Deal information, names of any individuals (including those on any documents including energy bills etc.) and any information related to excluded buildings e.g. Ministry of Defence buildings.
Energy assessors are allowed to charge a fee for the data sharing to cover the administrative burden.
If your energy assessor is not forthcoming with the request you could contact their accreditation body for further advice.
Where Is The Legislation Located?
If you wish to read the exact wording of the changes to the legislation, visit the following URL:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/640/made
Notice that the wording in the legislation provides: "The keeper of the register, an accreditation scheme or an energy assessor may disclose assessment data...."
Key Takeaways
If you are particularly interested in your EPC rating, or assessment, or want to research or check the entries made as part of the assessment, then requesting this data might be useful for you.
Click here to return to our 'Improve Your EPC' main page, and see if there is another way you could improve your EPC rating.
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