I cover all of E17 — Walthamstow, Upper Walthamstow and the part of Leyton that shares the postcode — and the rest of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, with no travel surcharge anywhere inside Greater London. Same-day and next-day slots are regularly available; call or WhatsApp and I will tell you what is free.
Renting in Walthamstow: a better EPC means a cheaper licence
Waltham Forest runs selective licensing across almost the whole borough. The current scheme started in May 2025 and runs until 30 April 2030, in every ward except Hatch Lane, Highams Park North and Endlebury — so all of Walthamstow is covered. Privately rented homes let to an individual, a single family or two unrelated sharers need a licence, with some exemptions.
The licence costs £895, and the council ties the price to the EPC:
- EPC rated C — £800
- EPC rated A or B — £600
- D or below — the full £895
So an accurate, well-evidenced assessment can be worth up to £295 on the licence alone. The council also says it may refuse the discount if it thinks a rating is not a true reflection of the home, which is one more reason the certificate should record what is really there — and why the paperwork for any insulation, boiler or window work matters. The landlord guide covers the paperwork, and the national minimum of E applies whatever the licence.
Checked on the council’s licence fees page in September 2026. Fees and schemes change, so check there before you apply.
What the assessment looks at in a Walthamstow home
Walthamstow grew fast once the railway arrived, and much of it is terraced streets from the late Victorian and Edwardian years and the 1920s. In the 2021 census, 27.8% of households in Waltham Forest rented privately, so a lot of these homes need an EPC for letting as well as for sale.
Warner homes: two flats in one terrace
The Warner estate built terraces of two-storey houses across Walthamstow between 1870 and 1914, each split into two flats, in yellow brick with red brick detailing and slate roofs. Two flats in the same house can land in different bands: the upper flat loses heat through the roof, the lower one through the floor. For the upper flat, the insulation in the loft above it makes a real difference — so if there is a loft hatch, make sure it can be reached on the day.
Solid walls in the older terraces
Houses from before the First World War were usually built with solid walls rather than cavity walls. Unless there is visible or documented evidence of insulation, the assessment has to treat the wall as it was built, and on an older terrace that is often what holds the rating down. If internal or external wall insulation has ever been fitted, find the paperwork.
Conservation areas
Walthamstow Village is a conservation area, where some external changes need planning permission. If an EPC recommends work to the outside of the building, check with the council before committing to it.
Extensions and loft conversions
A rear extension or a room in the roof is recorded separately, with its own age and construction. If you know when the work was done, or have the building control certificate, have it to hand.
Prices
- Domestic EPC from £59
- EPC + floor plan from £99, in one visit
- Floor plan only from £75
The same prices as anywhere in London, quoted in writing before you book and paid after the visit. How EPC prices compare across London.
Common questions
Do you charge extra to come to Walthamstow?
No. There is no travel surcharge anywhere inside Greater London, and Walthamstow is covered at the same prices as everywhere else.
Do I need a licence to rent out a home in Walthamstow?
Very likely. Waltham Forest’s selective licensing covers homes let to an individual, a single family or two unrelated sharers in every ward except Hatch Lane, Highams Park North and Endlebury, so all of Walthamstow is included, until 30 April 2030. Shared houses with more tenants fall under separate HMO rules. Check the council’s website for your address and the exemptions.
Does a good EPC reduce the Waltham Forest licence fee?
Yes. The full fee is £895; with an EPC rated C it is £800, and with A or B it is £600. The council may refuse the discount if it thinks the rating is not a true reflection of the home.
Why do the two flats in my Warner house have different ratings?
Because they lose heat in different places. The upper flat has the roof above it and the lower flat has the ground floor below it, so insulation in the loft and the type of floor affect each one differently.
Can you do the EPC and a floor plan in one visit?
Yes. The EPC and floor plan package is done in one appointment, from £99.