Park homes are exempt from EPC requirements when sold or let
If you own a park home or mobile home, you may wonder whether you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before selling or renting it out. The answer is clear: park homes are exempt from the mandatory EPC requirement that applies to standard houses and flats.
No, park homes are exempt from mandatory EPCs when sold or let. You can get a voluntary EPC for £60-£120 to access grants like ECO4 or GBIS.
- Park homes are exempt from mandatory EPCs under UK law.
- Voluntary EPCs cost £60 to £120 from accredited assessors.
- A voluntary EPC can unlock ECO4 and GBIS grant funding.
- Park home EPC ratings are typically lower than standard homes.
- Use the official EPC register to find a domestic energy assessor.
- Park homes are exempt from EPC requirements when sold or let
- An EPC for a park home is voluntary but helps secure grants
- The EPC rating for a park home is typically lower than a standard home
- Quick numbers – typical park home EPC costs and savings
- How to improve a park home EPC rating – the direct answer
- How to verify a park home EPC assessor and installer
The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2020 (as amended in 2026) explicitly exempt park homes because they are classified as “mobile homes” under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 (GOV.UK, Schedule 1, Part 1 – Exemptions). This means you do not need to commission an EPC before selling or letting your park home.
However, you can still obtain a voluntary EPC if you want one for marketing purposes or to plan energy efficiency improvements. Some buyers or tenants may ask for it, but it is never a legal requirement.
An EPC for a park home is voluntary but helps secure grants
While not mandatory, a voluntary EPC can unlock access to government grants that would otherwise be unavailable. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) both require an EPC rating to determine eligibility for funded measures (DESNZ, “Great British Insulation Scheme: Scheme Guidance”; Ofgem, “ECO4 – Guidance for Suppliers”).
To obtain a voluntary EPC, you must use an accredited domestic energy assessor (DEA) who is registered with a recognised accreditation body such as Elmhurst Energy, Stroma, or Quidos. Not all DEAs will assess park homes, so you should confirm their experience before booking. The certificate must be lodged on the official EPC register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.
The cost of a voluntary EPC for a park home typically ranges from £60 to £120, depending on your location and the assessor (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
The EPC rating for a park home is typically lower than a standard home
Park homes generally achieve lower EPC ratings than conventional houses. Analysis of EPC register data shows that most park homes fall into bands D to G, with the majority in E or F (Energy Saving Trust, “Energy Performance Certificates for Park Homes”).
The average park home EPC score is approximately 45–50 (band E), compared to the average UK home score of 65–70 (band D). Key factors that drag down the rating include poor insulation, single glazing, and older heating systems. Uninsulated timber-frame walls typically have U-values of 0.45–0.60 W/m²K, and many park homes still use inefficient electric storage heaters.
If you are planning to sell or let your park home, a low EPC rating may reduce its appeal to buyers or tenants who are increasingly energy-conscious. Improving the rating can also lower your own energy bills.
Quick numbers – typical park home EPC costs and savings
| Item | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Cost of a voluntary EPC assessment for a park home | £60–£120 |
| Average EPC band for park homes | E (score 45–50) |
| Typical annual energy bill for a park home in band E | £1,800–£2,400 |
| Estimated bill reduction after improving to band D | £300–£500 per year |
| Grant available for insulation under GBIS (park home eligible) | Up to £1,500 |
| Source for costs | Ofgem, “Typical Domestic Consumption Values”; Energy Saving Trust, “Park Home Energy Costs” |
How to improve a park home EPC rating – the direct answer
The single most effective upgrade to raise a park home EPC rating is installing 100–150 mm of cavity wall insulation (if the home has a cavity) or external wall insulation for solid-wall park homes. This can lift the rating by one to two bands (Energy Saving Trust, “Park Home Insulation Guide”; DESNZ, “Energy Efficiency in Park Homes”).
Secondary measures include replacing single glazing with double or secondary glazing, which improves the U-value from around 5.0 to 2.0 W/m²K, and swapping old electric storage heaters for modern high-heat-retention models. Third, an air-source heat pump is possible but typically costs £6,000–£10,000 and requires a well-insulated home. Check eligibility under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (GOV.UK, 2026).
For more details on available grants, see Great British Insulation Scheme eligibility for park homes.
How to verify a park home EPC assessor and installer
To ensure your voluntary EPC is valid and accepted for grant applications, use only an accredited domestic energy assessor (DEA) registered with an approved body. You can verify their name and accreditation number on the EPC register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate (GOV.UK, “Find an energy assessor”).
For insulation or glazing work funded by GBIS or ECO4, the installer must be registered with TrustMark (trustmark.org.uk). For electrical work such as new storage heaters, the installer must be registered with NICEIC or NAPIT. For heat pump installations, check the MCS register at microgenerationcertification.org (MCS, 2026).
Always verify these registrations before paying a deposit. Using unregistered installers can invalidate grant funding and leave you without consumer protection.
For further guidance on finding qualified tradespeople, see How to choose a TrustMark registered installer.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, park homes are exempt from the mandatory EPC requirement. The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2020 (as amended in 2026) exempts them because they are classified as mobile homes under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, according to GOV.UK.
A voluntary EPC for a park home typically costs between £60 and £120, depending on your location and the assessor. The Energy Saving Trust confirms this range for 2026.
Yes, a voluntary EPC can help you access government grants like the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and ECO4. Ofgem and DESNZ require an EPC rating to determine eligibility for funded measures.
You need an accredited domestic energy assessor (DEA) registered with a body like Elmhurst Energy, Stroma, or Quidos. Not all DEAs assess park homes, so confirm their experience before booking.
Park homes generally achieve lower EPC ratings than conventional houses, often falling in bands E to G. This is due to their construction and insulation levels, according to EPC register data.
