How long does an EPC last, and when do you need a new one?

The ten-year rule

An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for ten years from the date it is lodged on the national EPC register — not from the date the assessor visited, and not from the date you sold or let the property. If a valid certificate already exists for the property, you can legally use it for a sale or a new tenancy at any point within that ten years.

You can check whether a property already has a certificate, and when it expires, by searching the register for the address. If one is already there and still in date, you do not need to pay for another.

When you should get a new one early

The certificate stays legally valid for the full ten years, but an out-of-date rating can cost you money or block a letting. It is usually worth commissioning a fresh assessment in these situations:

• You have installed insulation, new windows, a new boiler, a heat pump or solar panels — the old certificate will not reflect any of it, and buyers compare ratings
• The existing rating is F or G and you intend to let the property — see the landlord section below
• The existing certificate was produced with assumed values because the assessor could not see the construction, and you now have the paperwork to prove what is there
• You are applying for a green mortgage product or a retrofit grant that requires a current assessment
• The existing certificate has obvious errors, such as the wrong number of bedrooms or the wrong heating type

What landlords need to know

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, a property in England and Wales generally cannot be let on a new or continuing tenancy with an EPC rating below E, unless a valid exemption is registered. That means an expired certificate is not just an administrative problem — without a current one you cannot demonstrate compliance.

If your property sits at E, it is worth knowing how close to the boundary it is. A property that scores 39 (an F) and one that scores 40 (an E) can look identical, and a single measure such as a loft top-up or low-energy lighting is sometimes enough to move it.

How the renewal process works

A renewal is exactly the same process as a first assessment. A qualified domestic energy assessor visits, measures the property, records the construction, heating, glazing, insulation and controls, and lodges the certificate. A typical three-bedroom house takes around 30 to 45 minutes on site, and the certificate is usually lodged within a working day or two of the visit.

One thing that genuinely affects your rating: evidence. Assessors must use assumed values where they cannot see or verify what is there, and assumed values are conservative. If you have cavity wall insulation certificates, boiler installation paperwork, or window FENSA certificates, have them ready — it can be worth several points.

How long does an EPC last? — common questions

Can I sell a house without an EPC?

No. A valid EPC must be commissioned before a property is marketed for sale, and the rating must be included in the advertising. Agents will normally not list a property without one.

Does an EPC expire if the property is empty?

No, it runs for ten years from lodgement regardless of whether the property is occupied.

Do I need a new EPC for each new tenant?

No. As long as the existing certificate is still within its ten years and the rating meets the minimum standard, you can give the same certificate to each new tenant.

Read next

• How to improve your EPC rating — Not every energy improvement moves an EPC score, and some of the cheapest changes move it more than the expensive ones. Here is what counts.
• EPC rules for landlords — Letting a property below the minimum EPC standard risks a penalty. Here is the rule, the exemptions, and how to plan around it.

Browse all property guides