How long does an EPC last?

An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued. This applies to all domestic properties in England and Wales, regardless of whether the property is sold, let, or occupied by the owner during that period.

The 10-year validity period is set out in the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012. Once your EPC is lodged on the national register, the clock starts. You can use the same certificate for the full decade, even if the property changes hands multiple times.

For example, if you had an EPC assessment done on your London property on 15 March 2020, that certificate remains valid until 14 March 2030. During those 10 years, you can use it for selling, letting, or complying with regulations without needing a new one.

There is no requirement to renew early, and there is no benefit to doing so unless you have made improvements to the property that would produce a higher rating. The certificate does not need to be refreshed when a tenancy changes or when the property is remortgaged.

Your existing EPC may still be within its 10-year validity period, but there are situations where getting a new one makes practical or financial sense:

• You have made energy improvements: if you have installed a new boiler, added insulation, replaced windows with double glazing, or made other upgrades, your current EPC will not reflect those changes. A new assessment will produce a higher rating, which matters when selling or letting.
• You are selling and want a better listing: buyers filter by EPC rating on Rightmove and Zoopla. A D-rated property that could now achieve a C after recent improvements is leaving value on the table. Read our guide to EPCs when selling for more detail.
• You are a landlord reletting: while you do not need a new EPC for every new tenancy if the existing one is valid, demonstrating a better rating can attract better tenants and justify higher rent. See our EPCs for landlords guide.
• Your rating is borderline for MEES: if your property is currently rated E and you are worried about future regulation changes, a new assessment after improvements could push you to a D or C, giving you more headroom.
• The original assessment was inaccurate: if the previous assessor could not access the loft, missed evidence of insulation, or made errors, a new assessment with proper access and documentation can correct the rating.

Getting a new EPC does not cancel the old one. The new certificate simply becomes the current one on the register, and a fresh 10-year validity period begins.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require all privately rented domestic properties in England and Wales to hold a valid EPC showing a rating of E or above. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.

MEES compliance depends on having a valid EPC. If your certificate expires and you do not get a new one, you lose the ability to demonstrate compliance. Here is what that means in practice:

• You cannot grant a new tenancy without a valid EPC showing E or above
• You cannot renew or extend a tenancy without a valid certificate
• Fines under MEES can reach up to £5,000 per property for letting a substandard property without a registered exemption
• Penalties are recorded on a public register for 12 months, visible to tenants and other landlords

If your property was rated E on its last assessment and that certificate is about to expire, getting a new assessment promptly is essential. The property may still rate E or above, but you need the valid certificate to prove it.

If improvements have been made since the last assessment, the new rating could be higher, giving you more comfort against any future increase in the minimum standard. For detailed guidance, see our full MEES regulations guide.

EPC validity and property transactions in London

London's property market moves fast, and EPC validity catches people out more often than you might expect. Here are the most common scenarios we see:

Selling a property you have owned for more than 10 years

If you bought your London home in 2015 and had an EPC done at that time, it expired in 2025. You will need a new assessment before your estate agent can list it. We see this frequently with homeowners across Bromley, Greenwich, and Lewisham who assume their old EPC is still valid.

Reletting a buy-to-let

Many London landlords had EPCs done when MEES first applied in 2018. Those certificates will start expiring from 2028 onwards. If you let a property in Hackney, Islington, or elsewhere in London, make a note of when your EPC expires so you can arrange a new assessment before your next tenancy changeover.

Properties that have never had an EPC

EPCs became a legal requirement for sales in 2007 and for lettings in 2008. If you own a property that has not been sold or let since before those dates, it may never have had an EPC. You will need one before you can market it for sale or let.

Using someone else's EPC

An EPC belongs to the property, not the person who commissioned it. If you buy a property and the seller's EPC is still valid, you can rely on it for the remainder of its 10-year period. You do not need to get your own unless you want an updated rating.

How much does a new EPC cost in London?

Our EPC prices are straightforward with no hidden fees:

• Studio: £69
• 1–3 bedroom property: £79
• 4–5 bedroom property: £115
• 6+ bedroom property: £140
• Same-day appointments: +£20 call-out fee

The assessment takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the property. Your certificate is lodged on the national register within 24 hours. We are accredited through Quidos and Elmhurst, so the certificate is fully compliant and accepted by all estate agents, solicitors, and local authorities.