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If you're selling or letting a property, you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). But how long does an EPC last? We look at how long EPCs are valid for and when you'll need a new one.
An EPC lasts for 10 years. You only need a new Energy Performance Certificate if you’re selling or letting a property after your current EPC expires.
You may choose to get a new one sooner if you’ve made energy efficiency improvements and want to demonstrate to prospective buyers an improved energy rating for your home. But the existing EPC on the property, if you have one, is still valid if under 10 years old.
KEY INFORMATION
An EPC – or Energy Performance Certificate – tells you how energy efficient a property is. The most energy efficient homes are rated A while the lowest are rated G.
An EPC contains:
You can check whether your home has a valid EPC by visiting the official EPC register:
If you do not get an EPC when selling a house or you’re a landlord renting out a property, you could be fined up to £5,000.
It’s also likely to slow down or halt your sale as most conveyancing solicitors will want to see an EPC in the documents you provide to your buyer.
When your EPC expires, you only need to get a new one if you’re setting up a new tenancy agreement or selling your property. There is no current requirement to get a new EPC commissioned otherwise.
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No, you don’t need a new EPC if you make changes to your property.
But there may be benefits to getting a new EPC before your current one expires if you’ve improved your home’s energy efficiency, such as by installing a heat pump, upgrading your insulation or fitting solar panels. These benefits may include:
Getting an Energy Performance Certificate is a straightforward process.
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There are some building that don’t require an EPC. These include:
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The whole process of getting an Energy Performance Certificate can take up to around 10 days. This includes:
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) typically costs between £60 and £120. EPC certificate costs vary depending on the size of the property, the location, the type of building and the provider. It’s important to compare quotes from energy assessors to get the best deal.
Find out more information in our guide on EPC certificate costs.
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EPCs underwent the most significant changes in over a decade in June 2025 intending to improve the accuracy of EPCs, especially for flats and mid-terrace homes. The new EPCs should also reflect how homes are used better.
As part of the changes, Propertymark says EPC assessors will now collect and record more specific information about a property, including types of glazing and their condition and heating system efficiency based on evidence such as model numbers or manufacturer data.
Energy efficiency improvements such as the installation of insulation or new windows will only be reflected if evidence is available.
This means EPCs will now depend much more on the paperwork homeowners and landlords can provide.
So if you’re having energy efficiency measures installed in your house, keeping accurate records and receipts will be critical, especially for insulation, heating upgrades and double glazing.
In 2018, the government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) introduced important EPC requirements for landlords: all rental properties must be rated at least EPC Band E for new tenancies.
Since April 2020, this applies to all existing tenancies in England and Wales, not just new agreements.
The previous government proposed major changes in 2021, including planning to increase minimum standards to EPC Band C for new tenancies by 2025 and all rentals by 2028. But this was scrapped in 2023.
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An energy performance certificate in Scotland lasts for 10 years. You can check if the property has a valid EPC in Scotland on the Scottish Government’s website.
If you’re letting out a property, you must make sure that the gas supply and appliances you have provided are in a safe condition, fitted or repaired by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
No. You must have at least ordered an EPC before you marketing the property.
No, it expires after 10 years and must be renewed if you’re selling or letting.
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