Last updated: October 2026. Written by the Citywise Property Solutions assessment team, London.
An EPC certificate lasts 10 years from the date it is issued. You can check your EPC rating and expiry date for free on the GOV.UK energy certificate register by entering the property postcode. You need a valid EPC before you market a property for sale or rent in England and Wales.
This guide covers how long EPC certificates last, how to find and download yours, what to do if it has expired, and when landlords in London should renew early.
Key facts at a glance
- EPC validity: 10 years.
- Cost to check or download an existing EPC: free.
- Where to check: the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service, which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Search options: postcode, street name and town, or certificate number.
- When you need one: selling, renting out or building a property.
- Current minimum rating to let a home in England and Wales: band E.
- Planned minimum from 1 October 2030: the equivalent of band C.
How long does an EPC last?
An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years. The 10 years run from the date of the certificate, not the date you bought or let the property. The same certificate can be used for any number of sales or lettings during that time.
The expiry date is printed at the top of the certificate, next to the certificate number and the energy rating.
Does an EPC last 10 years for rental properties too?
Yes. The 10-year validity is the same for owner-occupied homes and rental properties. Landlords have an extra duty: the rating itself must be band E or better, unless a valid exemption is registered.
Will EPC validity change?
The government is redesigning EPCs for England and Wales, with the new format now due in the second half of 2027. Existing certificates remain valid until their expiry date. Check GOV.UK for the final rules once the new format launches.
How to check your EPC rating by postcode
You can check the EPC rating of any property on the public register in about two minutes.
- Go to the Find an energy certificate page on GOV.UK and select Start now.
- Choose domestic property for a home, or non-domestic for business premises.
- Enter the postcode. You can also search by street name and town, or by certificate number.
- Select the address from the list.
- View the certificate. It shows the current rating, the potential rating, the expiry date and the recommended improvements.
This is the official EPC register for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Properties in Scotland are held on the separate Scottish EPC Register.
What will I see on the EPC register?
- The energy rating from A to G and the score out of 100.
- The date the certificate is valid until.
- A breakdown of walls, roof, windows, heating and lighting.
- A list of recommended improvements with indicative costs.
- The assessor’s name and accreditation scheme.
- Any earlier certificates for the same address.
How to download or get a copy of your EPC certificate
Open your certificate on the register and use the print or save option to keep a PDF copy. It is free and you do not need to contact the original assessor. Estate agents and letting agents can use the same link for listings.
Why can’t I find my EPC certificate?
If the address does not appear, one of these is usually the reason:
- The property has never had an EPC. Homes that have not been sold, let or built since 2008 may not have one.
- The certificate has expired. Expired certificates still show on the register but are marked as expired.
- The address is recorded differently. Try the street name search, or search for the flat number in a different format, such as Flat 2 or 2A.
- The owner has opted out. Owners can ask for a certificate to be removed from public view.
- The property is in Scotland. Use the Scottish EPC Register instead.
If you still cannot find it, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government runs a helpdesk. Its details are on the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate page.
What happens when an EPC expires?
Nothing happens automatically. You are not fined simply because a certificate has passed its expiry date. You need a new EPC when you next market the property for sale or rent, or grant a new tenancy.
If you market a property without a valid EPC, Trading Standards can issue a penalty. For a home this is normally a fixed £200.
Landlords should note that the government’s EPC reform plans include requiring a valid EPC throughout a tenancy. That rule is not in force yet, but it is a good reason not to let certificates lapse.
When do you need a new EPC?
| Situation | New EPC needed? |
|---|---|
| Selling a home and the EPC is still in date | No |
| Selling or letting and the EPC has expired | Yes, before marketing |
| Starting a new tenancy with an expired EPC | Yes |
| Existing tenancy continues and the EPC expires | Not under current rules, but renewal is sensible |
| You have insulated, changed the boiler or fitted solar panels | Optional, needed only to show the higher rating |
| Rental home rated F or G | Improve the property first, then get a new EPC, or register an exemption |
| New build or conversion into separate dwellings | Yes |
Should London landlords renew an EPC early?
In many cases, yes. The government has confirmed that homes reaching band C on a current-style EPC before 1 October 2029 will be treated as meeting the new rental standard until that certificate expires. The planned compliance date for all tenancies in England and Wales is 1 October 2030.
Renewing early makes sense if:
- Your certificate is more than five years old and you have made improvements since.
- Your rating is a high D, between 64 and 68, and a few low-cost upgrades could lift it to C.
- Your certificate expires before 2030 anyway.
- A lender, licensing scheme or agent has asked for a recent certificate.
Older London certificates often understate a property because improvements were not evidenced at the time. A fresh assessment with the right paperwork can raise the rating without any building work.
Read our guide on how to improve your EPC rating before you book.
Who does not need an EPC?
According to GOV.UK, you do not need an EPC for:
- Temporary buildings used for less than 2 years.
- Stand-alone buildings with less than 50 square metres of useful floor space.
- Some buildings due to be demolished.
- Holiday accommodation rented out for less than 4 months a year or let under a licence to occupy.
- Residential buildings intended to be used for less than 4 months a year.
- Places of worship.
- Listed buildings, where the work needed to meet minimum standards would unacceptably alter their character.
Listed status is not a blanket exemption. Check with your borough conservation officer before relying on it.
How long does it take to get a new EPC?
The assessment visit usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the property. The assessor measures the property and records the construction, insulation, windows, heating, hot water and lighting. The certificate is then lodged on the national register and appears online, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long are energy performance certificates valid for?
Energy performance certificates are valid for 10 years from the date of issue, for both domestic and commercial properties in England and Wales.
What is my EPC rating?
You can find your EPC rating by entering your postcode on the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service. The rating is shown as a letter from A to G with a score from 1 to 100.
Is it free to check an EPC rating?
Yes. Viewing and downloading any certificate on the EPC register is free. You only pay when you commission a new assessment.
Can I use the previous owner’s EPC?
Yes. An EPC belongs to the property, not the person. If the certificate is still within its 10 years, you can use it to sell or let.
How long does an EPC cert last if I make improvements?
The existing certificate keeps its original expiry date. A new certificate starts a new 10-year period.
Can I rent out a property with an expired EPC?
You need a valid EPC before marketing a property and before a new tenancy begins. Get a new certificate before you advertise.
What is the minimum EPC rating to rent a property in England and Wales?
The minimum is band E today. The government intends to raise this to the equivalent of band C for all privately rented homes by 1 October 2030, with a cost cap of £10,000 per property.
Is the EPC register the same in Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own register and its own rules. The GOV.UK service covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Need a new EPC certificate in London?
Citywise Property Solutions Ltd carries out EPC assessments for landlords, estate agents and homeowners across London, including Croydon and South London. We can combine your EPC with floor plans, photography or PAT testing in one visit.
Book your EPC certificate in London or contact our team on 07359 830749.
Citywise Property Solutions Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 17026397. Office: 1 Bensham Lane, London, CR0 2RU.