When is an EPC mandatory? The rules explained

An EPC is mandatory when selling or renting out a home or apartment in Flanders. Since 2022, this obligation also applies to small non-residential units. The Flemish government sets clear rules through the Energy Decree and the Energy Resolution on when an energy performance certificate is required.

Mandatory when selling

When selling a home or apartment in the Flemish Region, the seller must have a valid EPC before the property is put on the market. This means:

• The EPC label must be mentioned in all advertising (property websites, window displays, advertisements)
• The EPC must be available at the first visit by potential buyers
• The EPC certificate number is included in the notarial deed

In our experience, sellers sometimes forget that the EPC must be ready before the first publication. So don't wait until the last moment — plan your inspection at least 2 weeks before publication.

Mandatory when renting

An EPC is also mandatory when renting out a home, apartment or student room. The landlord must:

• Include the EPC label in all rental advertisements
• Hand over a copy of the EPC to the new tenant when signing the rental contract

Non-residential buildings

Since 2022, small non-residential units (offices, shops, practice spaces) are also required to have an EPC when selling or renting. For large non-residential buildings (> 500 m²), a separate EPC type drawn up by a type B energy expert applies.

When is an EPC NOT mandatory?

There are some exceptions:

• New construction with EPB declaration: if the property received an EPB declaration less than 10 years ago, that declaration serves as an EPC
• Protected monuments: buildings protected as monuments are exempt
• Religious buildings: churches, mosques and other religious buildings
• Temporary buildings: constructions with a planned lifespan of less than 2 years
• Unheated buildings: for example, unheated warehouses or garages (provided they are not sold or rented separately as habitable space)

What are the fines?

Selling or renting without a valid EPC risks a fine of €500 to €5,000 imposed by the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency (VEKA). In our inspections, we unfortunately regularly see that owners only request an EPC after a warning from the notary — this causes unnecessary stress and haste.

And during renovation?

An EPC is not mandatory during renovation if you are not selling or renting. But it can be very useful: the EPC provides insight into the energy weak points of your home and helps with planning renovations. Moreover, the EPC label is linked to the renovation obligation: when buying a home with label E or F, you must renovate to at least label D within 5 years.

Need an EPC quickly?

At EPC Expert, we typically schedule your inspection within 5 working days. Need it urgently? Contact us directly — we do our best to help you as quickly as possible.