How long does an EPC last?
How long does an EPC last? An EPC remains valid for 10 years after issue, unless the same home gets a newer certificate.
What date was your EPC issued?
It sits on page one, beside "Date of certificate".
No copy to hand? Search the GOV.UK register by postcode Free, for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
EPC validity: the 10 year rule
Your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is valid for 10 years, no matter how often the home sells or gets rented out. In that period, you may reuse it whenever you need.
Staying in a home for years doesn't mean a new certificate is due. Only when they sell, assign or sublet a home do people already living there need a certificate.
- how long an EPC stays valid after its issue date
- 10 years
- fixed penalty for selling or letting a home without one
- £200
How to find your EPC expiry date
The issue date appears on every certificate. Search for the address on Find an energy certificate, then open the result.
The end date is the issue date plus 10 years. Can't find the home at all? The EPC register has other search options.
Is my EPC expired?
Living in the home without selling or letting it? An expired certificate doesn't matter. A problem only comes up when you decide to market the property.
Before you market a home to buyers or tenants, a valid EPC or an order for one must already be in place. A £200 penalty can follow if you skip it. For the rules that fit your move, see do I need an EPC.
EPC renewal: getting a new certificate
A certificate doesn't renew itself. Book the new assessment with an accredited assessor. They visit, then send you a digital copy.
Assessors charge different prices, and the home's size affects the cost too. You can compare prices on EPC cost or book an EPC.
How long does an EPC last after the reforms?
In England and Wales, reformed EPCs are set to keep ten-year validity under government plans. Current certificates keep their validity too, and ordering one early to show off upgrades is still allowed.
Scotland works differently. Provided the Scottish Parliament approves the dates, certificates in the new Scottish style issued from 30 April 2028 will run for 5 years. More on EPCs in Scotland.
Common questions about how long does an epc last
If a house is sold, does that end its EPC?
No. It remains valid for the full 10 years, and within that period a buyer can reuse it to sell or let the home.
Is it possible to sell a house if the EPC has run out?
Only if you order a new one. Before the home goes on the market, a valid certificate or one on order is required.
How long does an EPC last if the property is rented out?
Just as long as for any other home. Landlords must meet a minimum rating as well, and you can read those rules on EPC for landlords.
If I've improved my home, is the EPC still valid?
Yes, it remains valid until expiry, or until a newer one is issued. Only a new certificate can prove the improved rating.