“How long does an EPC last?” is probably the question I answer most often on the phone — usually from someone about to list a property who’s just discovered their certificate might be out of date. The short answer is ten years. The longer answer — when you actually need a new one, and when renewing early works in your favour — is worth two minutes of your time.
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How long is an EPC valid?
An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date it’s lodged on the national register. Within that period you can reuse it as many times as you like — it covers both selling and letting, and it stays valid even if the property changes hands. You can check any certificate’s expiry date free on the government’s EPC register.
When do I need to renew my EPC?
When the certificate expires
After ten years it’s no longer valid, and you can’t market a property for sale or rent against an expired certificate.
When you’re selling or letting again
A valid EPC must be in place before marketing begins — this is the one that catches sellers out. If the old certificate has lapsed, the new assessment needs to happen before the listing goes up, not before completion. If a deal is already moving, our same-day EPC service exists for exactly this situation.
After major energy improvements (recommended, not required)
A new boiler, loft or wall insulation, solar panels — none of these legally require a new EPC. But the better rating only exists once a new assessment records it. I’ve assessed homes where thousands of pounds of improvements were invisible on the register because nobody renewed the certificate. If you’ve upgraded, the work only helps your sale price or MEES position when it’s on paper.
What happens if my EPC expires?
Nothing dramatic on the day it lapses — but the moment you want to market the property, you’re stuck: you can’t legally advertise, estate agents will refuse the listing, and a sale or new tenancy stalls until a fresh certificate is lodged. For landlords there’s a compliance angle too: an expired EPC means you can’t demonstrate the property meets the band E minimum required for letting — our MEES guide for London landlords covers that side.
Should I renew my EPC early?
Sometimes, yes. Three situations where I’d say renew before you must:
- After renovations — so the improved rating shows on listings and to lenders
- Before marketing — a fresh certificate with a better band is a genuine selling point
- Landlords planning ahead — with EPC C by 2030 proposed (not yet law), knowing your current position early gives you time to plan improvements within the £3,500 cost cap rather than in a rush
Not sure whether works would actually move your band? A Draft EPC models it before you commit.
How long does an EPC renewal take?
The inspection itself takes 30–60 minutes for most homes. The certificate is usually lodged and with you within 24–48 hours — or issued on the same visit with our urgent service.
How much does renewing an EPC cost in London?
The same as a new one: from £59 for a studio or one-bed, £69 for a two-bed, £79 for a three-bed — see full pricing. Commercial certificates are priced separately from £180.
EPC validity — quick answers
Do I need a new EPC every time I sell?
No — only if the existing certificate has expired or you want recent improvements reflected.
Can I reuse one EPC for multiple tenants?
Yes. One valid certificate covers successive tenancies within its ten years.
Does improving my home mean I must get a new EPC?
Not legally — but it’s the only way the better rating appears on the register, so it’s usually worth it.
Ready to renew? Book online or call 020 3488 4142 — EPCRATE covers all 32 London boroughs. Rated ★★★★★ on Google Reviews and Trustpilot.
Written by Jino Jose
DEA Accredited Energy Assessor · EPCRATE, London · Founded 2015
Jino Jose is the founder of EPCRATE and an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). He has carried out thousands of EPC assessments across all 32 London boroughs since 2015, with NDEA-accredited assessors at EPCRATE covering commercial properties.
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