## Read the certificate first
A domestic EPC gives a property an energy-efficiency rating from A to G and is valid for ten years. It contains information about energy use, typical energy costs and recommended measures.
The official [find an energy certificate service](https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate) lets a user find and download an existing certificate. The domestic minimum-standard guidance says an EPC relates to the property rather than its owner and can remain valid after a sale.
## Apply the current MEES test
The updated [domestic MEES guidance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-private-rented-property-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-landlord-guidance) applies to England and Wales. It covers domestic private rented properties let on specified tenancy types that are legally required to have an EPC.
The guidance says a property marketed for sale or let, or modified, in the past ten years will probably be legally required to have an EPC.
For a covered property rated F or G, the guidance says the landlord must take the appropriate compliance steps or register a valid exemption. It also says the government is exploring options for a longer-term Band C trajectory and will provide further information.
The official [PRS exemption service](https://www.gov.uk/register-prs-energy-standard-exemption) manages domestic and non-domestic exemptions. It requires the property address, a valid EPC and evidence showing how the property qualifies for the selected exemption.
## Use the evidence-check result
The [due diligence checklist](/tools/due-diligence-checklist) covers condition, EPC, ownership, comparables, legal prompts, tenancy, finance compatibility and document records. Its controlled example contains 20 checks: 15 green, 3 amber and 2 red.
The controlled workflow pauses the deal until both red items clear and converts the three amber items into conditions or price adjustments.
The checklist also prompts ownership verification, legal review with a solicitor, an appropriate condition survey and a finance-compatibility check. It is an educational screen and does not itself verify evidence or replace instructed professionals. The checklist includes document records for evidence and decisions used during the property review. The EPC and works inputs therefore remain linked to their underlying documents.
## Run a works sensitivity
The [BRRRR cash snapshot](/tools/brrrr-cash-snapshot) compares purchase, acquisition costs and works with a refinance loan based on post-refurb value and LTV. Use a controlled GBP 25,000 base works input:
| Additional supported works | Revised works input |
| --- | ---: |
| GBP 0 | GBP 25,000 |
| GBP 5,000 | GBP 30,000 |
| GBP 10,000 | GBP 35,000 |
The rows are arithmetic sensitivities, not estimates of the cost of an EPC recommendation. The selected works input remains separate from the certificate rating, MEES coverage and exemption evidence.