Can I serve Section 8 with no EPC?

Really need some help or advice please! A close friend has very recently let her property and is now having to deal with everyone’s worst nightmare, a non paying tenant who is very difficult!

Long story short the tenant moved in April 6th after pressuring her with all sorts of stories (having to live in car etc) and was a friend of a friend so she reluctantly agreed, the main issue being that she was completely unaware of the new regs regarding an EPC (previous tenant was in her house 18 years) She has since asked for access to have the EPC done with no answer to any request and since moving in the tenants have paid no rent whatsoever, in fact they have stated in writing that they do not intend to pay any!

My question is can a section 8 be served using grounds 8,10,11 &12 with no EPC? She may also be left in the position of having to move back in to the property due to the financial loss she will incur, can she do this and does this add any weight to her case?

And if not what other avenues can she go down to get her property back?

Many thanks for any advice you can offer, this is a fantastic website and a great resource for any landlord!

lbchill