My rented apartment doesn't have an energy performance certificate. Is the landlord required to provide one?

What the Law Says

The legal obligation stems from the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which all Member States have transposed into national law. It mandates that an EPC be made available to prospective tenants before a lease is signed.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) — Directive 2010/31/EU — requires that 'an energy performance certificate shall be issued when buildings are constructed, sold or rented'.

Article 11(1) states: 'Member States shall ensure that an energy performance certificate is made available to the buyer or tenant free of charge at the time of sale or rental.'

The certificate must be no older than 10 years and must include an energy efficiency rating (usually A–G), recommendations for improvement, and key performance indicators like primary energy use (kWh/m²/year).

While implementation details (e.g., minimum EPC grades, enforcement mechanisms, fines) vary across EU countries, the core obligation — providing a valid EPC before rental — is uniformly binding.

Statutory Text

Member States shall ensure that an energy performance certificate is made available to the buyer or tenant free of charge at the time of sale or rental.

— Directive 2010/31/EU, Art. 11(1) — Energy Performance of Buildings

Sources