EPC for Landlords in London: A Property Marketing Checklist Before You Let
Preparing a rental property for a new tenant involves more than cleaning the property and putting an advert online. London landlords also need to make sure the property has the right documentation and marketing materials before the listing goes live.
An EPC for landlords in London is one of the first things to check. Alongside the EPC, professional property photography and a clear floor plan can help create a complete and professional rental listing.
Whether you own one rental property in Croydon, a flat in Tooting SW17, or several properties across South London, having everything ready before advertising can make the letting process much easier.
What Should a London Landlord Prepare Before Letting a Property?
Before marketing a rental property, it is useful to work through a simple checklist.
Your preparation should include:
Checking whether the property has a valid EPC
Confirming the EPC rating and certificate details
Preparing the property for photography
Arranging professional property photography
Organising a professional floor plan
Preparing accurate property information
Giving the completed materials to your letting agent
Checking that your marketing information is accurate
The exact requirements can vary depending on the property and circumstances, so landlords should always check the latest government guidance.
According to GOV.UK, an EPC is required when a property is sold or rented out, and an EPC should be ordered before the property is marketed. An EPC is generally valid for 10 years.
If you are unsure whether your property already has a valid certificate, you can use the government’s Find an Energy Certificate service.
1. Check Your EPC Before Advertising the Property
The first step for most landlords should be checking the property’s EPC.
An Energy Performance Certificate provides an energy-efficiency rating from A to G and includes information about the property’s energy performance and recommended improvements.
If your EPC is still valid, you may not need to arrange another assessment simply because a new tenant is moving in.
If the EPC has expired or the property does not have a valid certificate, you should arrange a new assessment.
For landlords who need a new certificate, Urgent EPC provides Residential EPC services in London, covering residential properties including houses, flats and rental properties.
What If You Need an EPC Quickly?
Sometimes a tenancy is ready to begin and the landlord discovers that the EPC needs updating.
In that situation, an urgent EPC or same day EPC appointment may help reduce delays, subject to availability.
Urgent EPC provides a Same Day EPC service for landlords and property owners who need a faster appointment.
If you are preparing a property in Croydon, for example, you can also read the guide to Same Day EPC in Croydon.
2. Understand What Your EPC Rating Means
An EPC rating gives buyers and tenants an indication of how energy efficient a property is.
The rating runs from:
A – most energy efficient
B
C
D
E
F
G – least energy efficient
The certificate also contains recommendations that may help improve the property’s energy performance.
For landlords, the EPC should not simply be treated as paperwork. It can also provide useful information when planning maintenance and energy-efficiency improvements.
If you want to understand what an assessor checks during an inspection, read our guide on what an EPC assessment checks in a London property.
3. Prepare the Property Before Photography
Once the EPC is sorted, the next step is preparing the property for marketing.
Good rental property photography starts before the photographer arrives.
Landlords can improve the presentation by:
Removing unnecessary clutter
Cleaning windows
Tidying kitchens and bathrooms
Making beds neatly
Organising visible storage
Opening curtains and blinds
Turning on suitable lights
Tidying gardens, balconies and entrances
Completing obvious minor repairs
The aim is not to make the property look unrealistic. Instead, professional photography should accurately present the property while showing its best features.
This is particularly important in London, where prospective tenants may compare many similar properties online before deciding which ones are worth viewing.
You can learn more about the benefits of professional property photography in London and how good images can strengthen a property listing.
4. Arrange a Professional Rental Property Floor Plan
Photography shows tenants what a property looks like.
A floor plan shows them how the property is arranged.
For rental properties, a professional floor plan can help prospective tenants understand:
Bedroom positions
Room sizes
Kitchen location
Bathroom location
Living areas
Property flow
Access between rooms
Overall layout
This can be particularly useful for flats and houses where photographs alone do not clearly communicate the relationship between rooms.
Urgent EPC provides professional floor plan services across South London, including areas such as Croydon CR0, South Croydon CR2, Mitcham CR4, Streatham SW16, Clapham SW4, Tooting SW17 and Sutton.
5. Why Landlords Should Combine Photography and Floor Plans
A strong rental listing should answer the most important questions a prospective tenant has before arranging a viewing.
Photography answers:
“What does the property look like?”
The floor plan answers:
“How is the property laid out?”
The EPC answers:
“How energy efficient is the property?”
Together, these provide a much more complete picture of the rental property.
This is why landlords increasingly choose to arrange their EPC, photography and floor plan as part of the same property preparation process.
For more information, see our guide to Property Marketing Services in London.
6. Preparing Rental Properties Across London
Landlords often manage properties in different parts of London, and preparation requirements can be especially important when a property needs to be marketed quickly.
Urgent EPC provides EPC and property services across London and South London, including areas such as:
Croydon CR0 and CR2
Thornton Heath CR7
Mitcham CR4
Clapham SW4 and SW9
Streatham SW16
Tooting SW17
Sutton SM1, SM2 and SM3
Wandsworth
Wimbledon
Balham
Fulham
Bromley
For example, a landlord preparing a rental property in Tooting SW17 may need an EPC, professional photography and a floor plan before handing the marketing materials to a letting agent.
Similarly, landlords in Croydon CR0 or Streatham SW16 can organise the relevant property services before launching a new rental listing.
7. What Should You Give Your Letting Agent?
Once the property is ready, your letting agent will normally need accurate information to create the listing.
Depending on the property and circumstances, your marketing file may include:
Valid EPC information
Property photographs
Floor plan
Property description
Number of bedrooms
Number of bathrooms
Key property features
Rental price
Availability information
Having these materials prepared early can help reduce last-minute delays when a property is ready to be advertised.
It also means your agent has the information needed to create a complete listing rather than waiting for individual documents and marketing materials.
8. Can Landlords Arrange EPC, Photography and Floor Plans Together?
Yes. Combining these services can be particularly convenient when a property is being prepared for a new tenant.
Instead of coordinating separate providers, landlords can discuss their EPC, photography and floor-plan requirements together.
Urgent EPC provides all three services:
EPC assessments
Professional property photography
Property floor plans
You can explore the full range of Urgent EPC property services or contact the team to discuss your requirements.
Where an approved combined-service price is available, landlords should confirm the current package and saving before booking.
EPC for Landlords London: Simple Checklist
Before advertising your rental property, use this checklist:
EPC
☐ Check whether your EPC is still valid
☐ Check the current EPC rating
☐ Arrange a new EPC if required
☐ Keep the certificate available for your letting agent
Property Presentation
☐ Clean and declutter the property
☐ Complete obvious minor repairs
☐ Prepare gardens, balconies and entrances
☐ Make rooms ready for photography
Marketing Materials
☐ Arrange professional property photography
☐ Arrange a professional floor plan
☐ Prepare accurate property information
☐ Give all relevant materials to your letting agent
Final Check
☐ Confirm the listing information is accurate
☐ Confirm the EPC information is included where required
☐ Check photographs and floor plans before the property goes live
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landlords need an EPC before renting out a property?
Most properties being rented out require a valid EPC. GOV.UK states that an EPC is required when renting out a property and should be ordered before the property is marketed.
How long is an EPC valid for?
An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, although a newer certificate can replace an existing one. Always check the current GOV.UK guidance for your circumstances.
Can I check whether my rental property already has an EPC?
Yes. You can use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to search for an existing certificate.
Can I arrange an EPC urgently in London?
Urgent and same-day EPC appointments may be available depending on location and availability. Urgent EPC provides fast EPC services across London.
Do rental properties benefit from professional photography?
Professional photographs can help present a rental property clearly online and give prospective tenants a better first impression before arranging a viewing.
Is a floor plan useful for a rental listing?
Yes. A floor plan helps prospective tenants understand room positions, proportions and the overall layout before deciding whether to arrange a viewing.
Can landlords book an EPC, photography and floor plan together?
Urgent EPC provides EPC certificates, professional property photography and floor plans. Landlords can contact the team to discuss arranging the services required for their property.
Prepare Your London Rental Property Before You List
For landlords, preparing a property properly before advertising can make the letting process more organised.
Start with the EPC. Check whether the certificate is valid, arrange a new assessment if necessary, and then prepare the property for professional marketing.
Professional photography helps present the property visually, while a floor plan gives prospective tenants a better understanding of the layout.
For landlords preparing a property in Croydon, Mitcham, Clapham, Streatham, Tooting, Sutton or elsewhere across London, arranging these services together can provide a convenient way to get the property ready for the market.
If you need an EPC for landlords in London, professional property photography or a floor plan, explore the Urgent EPC services or contact the team to arrange your property services.
Official EPC Resources
For the latest legal requirements and official information, use:
