How long is an EPC valid?

Anyone selling, letting or building a property in England or Wales. The certificate must be given free of charge to the person who becomes the buyer or tenant. GOV.UK lists buildings that do not need one, including temporary buildings used for less than 2 years, stand-alone buildings under 50 square metres, some holiday lets, places of worship and some listed buildings.

• An EPC only counts as valid if it was entered on the register no more than 10 years before the date you make it available. An older one cannot be used for a new sale or letting.
• Failing to provide a valid EPC for a dwelling can lead to a £200 penalty charge notice.
• Landlords cannot let or continue to let most private homes rated below E unless a valid exemption is registered. Penalties are up to £2,000 for under 3 months of breach and up to £4,000 for 3 months or more, capped at £5,000 per property.
• An EPC that expires part-way through a tenancy does not need replacing at once. GOV.UK says you need a new one before you get the property ready to sell or rent.

1. 1

   Check what is on the register

   Use the government’s find an energy certificate service to see the current rating and issue date. You can download it free.

2. 2

   Book an accredited assessor

   Use the find an accredited assessor service, or ask your letting or estate agent. Only an accredited energy assessor can issue an EPC.

3. 3

   Commission it before you advertise

   The law says the EPC must be commissioned before the property goes on the market. It should then be obtained within 7 days, with up to 21 more days if that is not possible despite reasonable efforts.

4. 4

   Check the rating against the minimum

   If a rented home comes out below E, carry out the recommended improvements or register a valid exemption before you let it.

5. 5

   Give it to buyers or tenants

   Make it available by the time a prospective tenant or buyer first gets written information or views the property, whichever is earlier. The person who takes the tenancy must get a copy free of charge.

6. 6

   Record the new expiry date

   Ten years from the new certificate’s date. The newest EPC for the building replaces any older one.

A simple reminder plan: 180 days, 90 days, 30 days before the expiry date. The calculator above puts these in your calendar.

• The current EPC and its register reference number.
• Proof the tenant or buyer received it, such as the dated email or signed tenancy pack.
• Evidence of any registered exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register, with its end date.
• Invoices for energy improvements made since the last assessment.

• Re-letting with an EPC that passed 10 years since the last letting. The date that matters is the date you make it available.
• Advertising first and ordering the EPC afterwards. It must be commissioned before marketing.
• Forgetting a registered exemption lasts 5 years. After that you must try again to reach E.
• Assuming a new EPC always helps. Only the most recent certificate counts, so a worse rating replaces a better one.