Speak directly to our team
01603 218000
  • About us
  • Claims
  • Resources
  • Make a payment
  • Careers
  • Contact us
The Alan Boswell Group logo
    Business Insurance
    Business Insurance Advice & Guidance
    • Commercial Insurance
      • Employers' Liability Insurance
      • Product Liability Insurance
      • Public Liability Insurance
      • Business Interruption Insurance
      • Professional Indemnity Insurance
      • Cyber Insurance
      • Legal Expenses Insurance
      • Management Liability Insurance
      • View all Commercial Insurance
    • Credit Insurance
      • Whole-Turnover Insurance
      • Bonds & Surety Guarantees
      • Specific Account Insurance
      • Invoice Discounting
      • Cash Flow Finance
      • Agricultural & Horticultural Credit Insurance Scheme
      • View all Credit Insurance
    • Business Property Insurance
      • Commercial Property Insurance
      • Property Portfolio Insurance
      • Unoccupied Commercial Property Insurance
      • View all Business Property Insurance
    • Trade & Industry Insurance
      • Recording Studio Insurance
      • Teachers Insurance
      • Marine Trade Insurance
      • Marine Transit Insurance
      • Pub Insurance
      • Franchise Insurance
      • Hospitality Insurance
      • View all Trade & Industry
    • Agricultural Insurance
      • Agricultural Insurance
      • Farm Insurance
      • Environmental Impairment Liability Insurance
      • Renewable Energy Insurance
      • Livestock Insurance
      • Agricultural Vehicle Insurance
      • View all Agricultural Insurance
    • Commercial Motor Insurance
      • Fleet Insurance
      • Motor Trade Insurance
      • Road Haulage Insurance
      • Self-Drive Hire Insurance
      • Taxi Insurance
      • Driving Instructor Insurance
      • View all Commercial Motor Insurance
    • Care & Medical Insurance
      • Care Home Insurance
      • Medical Equipment Insurance
      • Medical Malpractice Insurance
      • Surgery Insurance
      • Complementary Therapy Insurance
      • View all Care & Medical Insurance
    • Technology and Life Science Sector Insurance
      • CleanTech Insurance
      • Life Science Insurance
      • Insurance for Start-ups
      • Video Games Industry Insurance
      • Technology Insurance
      • View all Technology and Life Science Sector Insurance
    • Construction Insurance
      • Construction Insurance
      • Structural Warranty Insurance
      • Tradesman Insurance
      • View all Construction Insurance
    Employee Benefits & Healthcare
    Employee Benefits & Healthcare hub
    • Employee Benefits
      • Group Critical Illness Insurance
      • Death in Service Insurance
      • Workplace Pensions
      • Flexible Benefits
      • Group Income Protection
      • View all Employee Benefits
    • Business Healthcare
      • Health and Wellbeing Plans
      • Health Cash Plans
      • Health Screening
      • Group Private Medical Insurance
      • View all Business Healthcare
    • Business Protection
      • Key Person Insurance
      • Business Loan Protection
      • Shareholder Protection Insurance
      • Partnership Protection Insurance
      • View all Business Protection
    Risk Management
    Risk Management Hub
    • Risk Management Services
    • Engineering Inspections
    • Health & Safety
    • Health & Safety Training
    • NEBOSH Training Course
    • IOSH Training Course
    • ABRM Health & Safety Portal
    Personal Insurance
    Personal Insurance hub
    • Home & Property Insurance
      • Home Insurance
      • Home Renovation Insurance
      • Holiday Home Insurance
      • High-Value Home Insurance
      • Unoccupied Property Insurance
      • Tenants Contents Insurance
      • Listed Building Insurance
      • View all Home & Property Insurance
    • Motor Insurance
      • Classic Car Insurance
      • Motorhome Insurance
      • Private Car Insurance
      • Motor Legal Expenses
      • Call Assist Breakdown Cover
      • Short-Term Motor Insurance
      • Provisional Driver Insurance
      • View all Motor Insurance
    • Boat Insurance
      • Yacht Insurance
      • Motorboat Insurance
      • Classic Boat Insurance
      • Broads Boat Insurance
      • Dinghy Insurance
      • View all Boat Insurance
    • Travel Insurance
    Personal Financial Planning & Advice
    Personal Financial Planning hub
    • Wealth Management
      • Financial Advice for Widows and Widowers
      • View all Wealth Management
    • Savings and Investments
      • Investments
      • Individual Savings Account
      • View all Savings and Investments
    • Retirement Income Solutions
      • Personal Pensions
      • Retirement Planning
      • View all Retirement Income Solutions
    • Private Healthcare Insurance
      • Private Medical Insurance
      • View all Private Healthcare Insurance
    • Protection
      • Critical Illness Cover
      • Income Protection Insurance
      • Life Insurance
      • Personal Accident and Sickness Cover
      • View all Protection
  • Landlord Insurance
    Landlords Advice & Guidance
    • Landlord Building Insurance
    • Rent Guarantee Insurance
    • Tenant Referencing
    • Landlord Home Emergency Cover
    • Multi Property Landlord Insurance
    • Block of Flats Insurance
    • Landlord Legal Expenses Insurance
    • Commercial Landlord Insurance
    • Landlord Liability Insurance
    • Excess Protection Insurance
    • Airbnb Insurance
    • HMO Insurance
    • Serviced Accommodation Insurance
    • Private Sector Leasing Insurance
    • Buy-to-Let Insurance
    • Landlord Contents Insurance
Speak directly to our team
01603 218000
  • Business
    Business Insurance
    • Commercial Insurance
      • Employers' Liability Insurance
      • Product Liability Insurance
      • Public Liability Insurance
      • Business Interruption Insurance
      • Professional Indemnity Insurance
      • Cyber Insurance
      • Legal Expenses Insurance
      • Management Liability Insurance
    • View All Commercial Insurance
    • Credit Insurance
      • Whole-Turnover Insurance
      • Bonds & Surety Guarantees
      • Specific Account Insurance
      • Invoice Discounting
      • Cash Flow Finance
      • Agricultural & Horticultural Credit Insurance Scheme
    • View All Credit Insurance
    • Business Property Insurance
      • Commercial Property Insurance
      • Property Portfolio Insurance
      • Unoccupied Commercial Property Insurance
    • View All Business Property Insurance
    • Trade & Industry Insurance
      • Recording Studio Insurance
      • Teachers Insurance
      • Marine Trade Insurance
      • Marine Transit Insurance
      • Pub Insurance
      • Franchise Insurance
      • Hospitality Insurance
    • View All Trade & Industry
    • Agricultural Insurance
      • Agricultural Insurance
      • Farm Insurance
      • Environmental Impairment Liability Insurance
      • Renewable Energy Insurance
      • Livestock Insurance
      • Agricultural Vehicle Insurance
    • View All Agricultural Insurance
    • Commercial Motor Insurance
      • Fleet Insurance
      • Motor Trade Insurance
      • Road Haulage Insurance
      • Self-Drive Hire Insurance
      • Taxi Insurance
      • Driving Instructor Insurance
    • View All Commercial Motor Insurance
    • Care & Medical Insurance
      • Care Home Insurance
      • Medical Equipment Insurance
      • Medical Malpractice Insurance
      • Surgery Insurance
      • Complementary Therapy Insurance
    • View All Care & Medical Insurance
    • Technology and Life Science Sector Insurance
      • CleanTech Insurance
      • Life Science Insurance
      • Insurance for Start-ups
      • Video Games Industry Insurance
      • Technology Insurance
    • View All Technology and Life Science Sector Insurance
    • Construction Insurance
      • Construction Insurance
      • Structural Warranty Insurance
      • Tradesman Insurance
    • View All Construction Insurance
    Business Insurance Advice & Guidance
    Employee Benefits & Healthcare
    • Employee Benefits
      • Group Critical Illness Insurance
      • Death in Service Insurance
      • Workplace Pensions
      • Flexible Benefits
      • Group Income Protection
    • View All Employee Benefits
    • Business Healthcare
      • Health and Wellbeing Plans
      • Health Cash Plans
      • Health Screening
      • Group Private Medical Insurance
    • View All Business Healthcare
    • Business Protection
      • Key Person Insurance
      • Business Loan Protection
      • Shareholder Protection Insurance
      • Partnership Protection Insurance
    • View All Business Protection
    Employee Benefits & Healthcare hub
    Risk Management
    • Risk Management Services
    • Engineering Inspections
    • Health & Safety
    • Health & Safety Training
    • NEBOSH Training Course
    • IOSH Training Course
    • ABRM Health & Safety Portal
    • View All Risk Management
    Risk Management Hub
  • Personal
    Personal Insurance
    • Home & Property Insurance
      • Home Insurance
      • Home Renovation Insurance
      • Holiday Home Insurance
      • High-Value Home Insurance
      • Unoccupied Property Insurance
      • Tenants Contents Insurance
      • Listed Building Insurance
    • View All Home & Property Insurance
    • Motor Insurance
      • Classic Car Insurance
      • Motorhome Insurance
      • Private Car Insurance
      • Motor Legal Expenses
      • Call Assist Breakdown Cover
      • Short-Term Motor Insurance
      • Provisional Driver Insurance
    • View All Motor Insurance
    • Boat Insurance
      • Yacht Insurance
      • Motorboat Insurance
      • Classic Boat Insurance
      • Broads Boat Insurance
      • Dinghy Insurance
    • View All Boat Insurance
    • Travel Insurance
    Personal Insurance hub
    Personal Financial Planning & Advice
    • Wealth Management
      • Financial Advice for Widows and Widowers
    • View All Wealth Management
    • Savings and Investments
      • Investments
      • Individual Savings Account
    • View All Savings and Investments
    • Retirement Income Solutions
      • Personal Pensions
      • Retirement Planning
    • View All Retirement Income Solutions
    • Private Healthcare Insurance
      • Private Medical Insurance
    • View All Private Healthcare Insurance
    • Protection
      • Critical Illness Cover
      • Income Protection Insurance
      • Life Insurance
      • Personal Accident and Sickness Cover
    • View All Protection
    Personal Financial Planning hub
  • Landlord Insurance
    • Landlord Building Insurance
    • Rent Guarantee Insurance
    • Tenant Referencing
    • Landlord Home Emergency Cover
    • Multi Property Landlord Insurance
    • Block of Flats Insurance
    • Landlord Legal Expenses Insurance
    • Commercial Landlord Insurance
    • Landlord Liability Insurance
    • Excess Protection Insurance
    • Airbnb Insurance
    • HMO Insurance
    • Serviced Accommodation Insurance
    • Private Sector Leasing Insurance
    • Buy-to-Let Insurance
    • Landlord Contents Insurance
    • View All
    Landlords Advice & Guidance
  • About us
  • Claims
  • Resources
  • Make a payment
  • Careers
  • Contact us
  • Resources
  • Does my holiday home need an Energy Performance...
Home
9 mins read
Guides and advice Home & Property Landlords

Does my holiday home need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

11.06.24

By Alan Boswell Group

Does my holiday home need an Energy Performance Certificate
  1. What is an EPC?
  2. Do I need an EPC for a holiday let in the UK?
  3. Which holiday let properties do not need an EPC?
  4. Why should I get an EPC for my holiday let?
  5. Will my insurance be invalid if I don’t have an EPC rating on my holiday let?
  6. What does holiday let insurance cover and do I really need it?
In this article
  1. What is an EPC?
  2. Do I need an EPC for a holiday let in the UK?
  3. Which holiday let properties do not need an EPC?
  4. Why should I get an EPC for my holiday let?
  5. Will my insurance be invalid if I don’t have an EPC rating on my holiday let?
  6. What does holiday let insurance cover and do I really need it?

If you’re a landlord with holiday let insurance, you’ll be expected to meet all your commercial landlord responsibilities for your policy to be valid. If not, you risk  invalidating your cover, meaning insurers can reject any claim you make.  

To help ensure your holiday rental runs smoothly, we look at your obligations regarding arranging an EPC.

What is an EPC? 

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows a building’s energy efficiency. Most properties will need an EPC if they are being rented, sold, or built. The results of an EPC must be made available before the property is sold or rented.  

When a building is assessed for an EPC, it will be given a grade between A (the most energy-efficient) and G (the least efficient). You’ll also be given tips on how to improve your property’s energy efficiency. 

EPCs last ten years and must be carried out by an accredited assessor. You can find an assessor for properties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland at GOV.UK.  For properties in Scotland, visit the Scottish EPC register at the Energy Saving Trust. 

Do I need an EPC for a holiday let in the UK?

In England and Wales, you’ll need an EPC for your holiday let if it meets HMRC’s definition of a ‘furnished holiday let’ and it’s rented out for at least four months in a 12-month period (the ‘four-month rule’). The EPC must also be graded E or above.  

Properties in Scotland and Northern Ireland must have a valid EPC, but they won’t need to meet any specific rating.

What counts as a furnished holiday let?

The definition (set by HMRC) is very specific. To qualify as a fully furnished holiday let, your property will need to meet all of these conditions (you can also find full guidance at GOV.UK, furnished holiday lettings):

Occupation condition

The property is rented as a short-term let for no more than 31 days in a row at any one time. Any longer rental periods (more than 31 days) should not add up to more than 155 days in the year.

Availability condition

Your holiday let must be available to rent by the public for at least 210 days in the year. You won’t be able to include the days you stay in the property.

Letting condition 

Your property must be let for at least 105 days in the year. You can’t include any days when it is let to friends and family at reduced rates (in other words, it must be rented at full price).

Which holiday let properties do not need an EPC?

Some holiday lets won’t need an EPC: 

  • Holiday accommodation rented out for less than four months each year. 

  • Accommodation that is let under a ‘licence to occupy’. 

  • If your property is a listed building and energy efficiency measures may affect its historic value (you should ask for advice from your local council).

What is a licence to occupy?

This simply means the person renting the property has your permission to be there and to use its facilities on a temporary basis. Unlike a tenancy agreement, a licence to occupy also typically means you’re responsible for utility bills.

Why should I get an EPC for my holiday let?

Some holiday lets must have an EPC. If you don’t have one (but need to), you could be fined.  

But EPCs aren’t just about fulfilling your obligations. If an assessment flags your property as energy inefficient, you can take steps to improve its EPC rating. Updating your property could help you save money on bills and maintenance costs in the long term.  

While some changes can be expensive or impractical, others, such as LED lighting or sealing off draughts, are relatively easy to implement.

Will my insurance be invalid if I don’t have an EPC rating on my holiday let?

As the EPC certificate doesn’t directly relate to the safety of the property, it’s unlikely that your insurer would invalidate a claim if you don’t have one when you should. That being said, ensuring you comply with all your legal obligations, whether they affect your insurance or not, is always recommended. 

Other landlord certificates, including electrical and gas safety, are legally required and would lead to a claim being declined if not obtained. This also includes any responsibilities set locally, for example, if you need a licence from your council.  

Remember that when it comes to listed buildings, you’re expected to discuss energy efficiency updates with your local authority. If alterations are likely to interfere with the historical integrity of the property, you probably won’t be expected to make any changes to bring it up to the minimum E rating. However, you should discuss this with the relevant council department and keep hold of any correspondence.  

If you’ve had any work done to your holiday let, it’s also worth keeping invoices and receipts as a record. 

What does holiday let insurance cover, and do I really need it? 

Holiday let insurance typically includes buildings and contents cover alongside property owners liability, but you don’t need a policy by law. Bear in mind that if you have landlord or home insurance on the property and you operate it as a holiday let, this will likely invalidate the policy, and your insurer will reject claims. If you want to change your property usage, speak to your broker or insurer and they will be able to find an appropriate policy for you.    

Holiday let insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing that you’ve got support if your property is damaged, and you need to repair or replace the building or its contents. Some policies also cover business interruption, allowing you to claim for projected income based on bookings if the property is uninhabitable.    

Need help with your insurance?

If you want more information about how holiday let insurance can protect your investment, speak to one of our experts.

Make an enquiry

Thank you for your enquiry, we will be in touch shortly.

As a leading independent insurance broker and specialist in insurance, risk management, and financial planning products, we are dedicated to finding the right cover to suit your needs.

We’d love to hear about your experience with us so far! Please take a moment to rate us on Google.

Leave a review

Contact details

Search with your postcode or first line of the address
There is a problem with the address you have entered. Please check the address for errors.

Enquiry details

There was a problem with some of the information you entered. Please check the form for errors and try again.

A technical error occurred when trying to submit this form. Please call us to let us know.

Speak to us:  01603 216399

Related guides and insights

9 mins

What is an EPC? Regulations Explained

Properties built, sold or leased since 2008 require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and will be affected by Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES). Do you know how to stay compliant?

19 mins
Improve your EPC ratings

Landlord's guide to improving EPC ratings

The law has changed on Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings for private rental properties. Find out the latest, and changes set to come in the future.

17 mins
Legal requirements for holiday lets

Legal requirements when letting a holiday property

Owning and managing a holiday let comes with a number of responsibilities. To help you meet your obligations and stay on the right side of the law, we explore the legal requirements for renting out a holiday home.

The Alan Boswell Group logo
Speak to us:  01603 218000

Make an enquiry – general and locations

Thank you for your enquiry, we will be in touch shortly.

As a leading independent insurance broker and specialist in insurance, risk management, and financial planning products, we are dedicated to finding the right cover to suit your needs.

We’d love to hear about your experience with us so far! Please take a moment to rate us on Google.

Leave a review

Contact details

Search with your postcode or first line of the address
There is a problem with the address you have entered. Please check the address for errors.
If applicable.

There was a problem with some of the information you entered. Please check the form for errors and try again.

A technical error occurred when trying to submit this form. Please call us to let us know.

Find out more about us
  • Alan Boswell Group linkedin
  • Alan Boswell Group facebook
  • Alan Boswell Group instagram
Services
  • Business Insurance
  • Personal Insurance
  • Landlord Insurance
  • Risk Management
  • Business Financial Planning
  • Personal Financial Planning
Company
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Careers
  • Find people
  • Company news
  • Claims
  • Make a payment
  • Norwich Insurance & Financial Advice
  • Bury St Edmunds Commercial Insurance
  • Peterborough Insurance Brokers
  • Boston Insurance Brokers
  • Grimsby Insurance Brokers
  • Cambridge Insurance & Financial Advice
  • Ipswich Commercial Insurance
  • Legal Information
  • Terms of Business
  • Privacy and Cookie Statement
  • Complaints

©2025 Alan Boswell Group, All rights reserved.

Made by Candour