EPC guide
Do you need an EPC to sell or rent?
If you are selling or letting a property in England or Wales, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement, not an optional extra. This guide explains exactly when you need one, the handful of exemptions, how long it lasts, and what happens if you market a property without one.
Short answer: you need a valid EPC whenever a property is built, sold or let. For a letting it must be available to prospective tenants before they commit to a tenancy.
Selling a home
You must order an EPC before you put a property on the market, and be able to show it to prospective buyers. In practice your estate agent will ask for it early, because the energy rating has to appear on the property listing. A valid certificate is simply one lodged within the last 10 years — if you already have one that has not expired, you do not need a new one to sell.
Letting a home
Landlords need a valid EPC before marketing a property to let, and it must be given to prospective tenants free of charge before they sign. Lettings carry an extra requirement: a minimum energy efficiency standard. Today a property must usually reach at least band E to be let lawfully, unless a valid exemption is registered. We cover this in detail in our guide to landlord EPC rules and the 2030 band C plan.
New builds
When a property is newly built, the developer must provide an EPC on completion. This one is produced from the design and construction details rather than a survey of the finished home.
When you might not need one
A few buildings are exempt, including some listed buildings where meeting the minimum energy requirements would unacceptably alter their character, places of worship, temporary buildings, and certain stand-alone buildings with a very small floor area. Exemptions are narrower than people assume — being listed does not automatically remove the requirement — so check the current government guidance for your specific situation before assuming you are exempt.
How long does an EPC last?
An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued. You can sell or let as many times as you like within that period on the same certificate; you only need a new one when it expires, or sooner if you have made improvements and want the rating to reflect them.
What if you don't have one?
Marketing a property to sell or let without a valid EPC can lead to a financial penalty from your local trading standards office. For lettings that fall below the minimum standard without an exemption, the potential fines are higher still. It is far cheaper to arrange the certificate up front.