EPC for a dwelling

• You can see what an EPC looks like since 2019 in this sample EPC (existing dwelling with residential function) (in Dutch)(PDF file opens in new window).
  • Since 2019, energy efficiency has been indicated with a label. This label ranges from a red letter F (poor score) to a dark green letter A+ (very good score).
  • The EPC also states the energy score of the housing unit in kWh/(m² year) (kilowatt hours per square metre year). The lower the energy score, the more energy efficient the housing unit is.
  • The EPC also contains recommendations on how the housing unit can be made even more energy efficient. The EPC does not impose any requirements on the building.
• An EPC is drawn up per housing unit.
• A housing unit has
  • the necessary residential facilities to be able to function autonomously, such as a living room, a private toilet, a private bath or shower, a private kitchen or kitchenette
  • and its own lockable entrance from the public road, yard or shared circulation area (new condition since 1 June 2020).
• An EPC must be drawn up by an accredited type A energy expert.
• An EPC is usually valid for 10 years.
• You need this EPC or a valid EPC Construction if you put a house, flat, studio, etc. publicly up for sale or rent. From 2022, you can only use EPCs that were drawn up after 2019 when selling a dwelling.
• Anyone renovating a dwelling with poor energy performance may be eligible for an EPC label subsidy or an interest-free loan for new owners. To prove the poor and improved energy performance, you require EPCs.

• The EPC must be drawn up by a type A energy expert. For this purpose, you can consult the list of accredited type A energy experts(opens in new window).
• The energy expert
  • makes the necessary observations during a site visit
  • looks at the insulation materials, windows, installations for heating, cooling, hot water, ventilation, etc.
  • uses a government software programme.
• The energy expert also uses substantiating documents. These are documents from the owner that prove the presence of insulation, materials or devices. The tick list (in Dutch) (in Dutch)(PDF file opens in new window) indicates which documents the owner provides to the energy expert.
• Drawing up an EPC usually takes about half a day.

Duplicate

• If you lost the EPC, you should ask the energy expert who drew it up for a duplicate.
• If you do not know whether an EPC was drawn up for your dwelling or which energy expert drew it up:
  • you should contact the Energy and Climate Agency of Flanders via the contact form(opens in new window).
  • you should attach written proof that you are the owner of the dwelling, e.g. by means of a copy of the deed or the property tax statement
  • the Energy and Climate Agency of Flanders will provide you with a copy of the EPC (without the signature of the energy expert)
  • you should request a signed duplicate from the energy expert who drew up the EPC.

There is no fixed cost for an EPC. The price depends on the complexity of the building and the travel expenses of the energy expert. It is best to compare the price and quality of different energy experts.

The seller or landlord is not allowed to enter the EPC costs as a tax deductible.