How long is an EPC valid for? - Richard Kendall Estate Agents

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is one of the key documents you’ll need when selling your home. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the duration of your home’s EPC and its importance in the selling process.

What is an EPC?

An EPC provides a rating of your home’s energy efficiency and its environmental impact. The rating ranges from ‘A’ (most efficient) to ‘G’ (least efficient) and includes recommendations for improving energy efficiency. The certificate helps potential buyers understand the energy performance of the property they are considering buying, as this will dictate how much it costs to run said property.

How long is an EPC valid for?

Once your home been issued its EPC rating, it will be valid for 10 years. This means that if you have an EPC rating that was issued within the last decade, you can use it to sell your property without needing a new assessment. However, if your EPC is older than 10 years, you’ll need to commission a new one before you can place your home on the market.

Checking your EPC’s validity

You can refer to the certificate itself to check if your EPC is still valid as it should state the date of issue and the expiry date. Additionally, you can look up your property’s EPC through GOV.uk, where you can download a copy of the certificate and verify its validity.

When should I get a new EPC?

Even though EPCs have a 10-year life-span, there are circumstances when you might consider getting a new one before selling your home:

Renovations – If you have made significant energy efficiency improvements to your home, such as double glazing, installing a new boiler, or insulation, a new EPC could reflect these changes and provide a better rating.
Marketing to buyers – If potential buyers express concern about the current EPC rating, an updated assessment might help reassure them of the property’s efficiency.
Standing out in a busy market – In a competitive market, having an up-to-date EPC with a good rating can make your property stand out from the rest.

Times when EPC's are exempt

Certain properties are exempt from requiring an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) under UK regulations. These include listed buildings or those in conservation areas where energy efficiency improvements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance. Additionally, buildings with a total floor area of under 50 square metres, non-residential agricultural buildings, places of worship, and temporary structures used for less than two years do not require an EPC. Richard Kendall Estate Agent can help clarify whether a specific property falls under any of these exemptions, ensuring compliance with EPC regulations while preserving the unique nature of special properties.

How to get a new EPC

You can obtain an up-to-date EPC rating by contacting any of our local offices, here at Richard Kendall we have qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). The Energy Performance assessment can be carried out at the same time as the photographs in preparation to listing the property for sale to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to leave some time to make cost-effective improvements.

If you require an EPC on your property telephone us today - We can help!

What Our Customers Say...

I’ve been using Richard Kendall in Horbury to manage my buy-to-let properties and have been extremely impressed with the service, particularly from Alice. As a landlord, what I value most is having someone I can trust to simply get things dealt with properly, without me having to constantly chase or get involved. Alice is excellent in this respect. She’s professional, responsive, proactive and always keeps me informed when something needs my attention. She clearly understands lettings from a landlord’s perspective and makes the whole process straightforward. Any issues are handled quickly and efficiently, communication is excellent, and I have complete confidence that my properties and tenants are being looked after properly. Having dealt with various people and businesses in the property sector over the years, genuinely good service stands out. Alice is a real credit to Richard Kendall and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Horbury team to other landlords looking for a reliable managing agent. Five stars and thoroughly deserved. Jon 15/09/2026

Amanda Holt was absolutely amazing at handling the sale of our house. Every step of the way she kept us informed and updated us the minute she heard any news and was super lovely. Everything was swift, easy and stress free and I would highly recommend them. Thank you so much again. Eleanor 14/09/2026

We had a lovely experience with Miranda at Richard Kendall. She was so helpful throughout the whole process and always kept us updated. Everything felt well organised, which made buying our home so much easier. We’re very happy with the service we received and absolutely love our new home! Thank you Miranda for all your help, we would happily recommend you. Karolina 12/09/2026

Karen at Richard Kendall Pontefract has been nothing short of exceptional. Due to a number of reasons my house was on and off the market a number of times. Most people could have given up hope but Karen was amazing. She was a great source of support, she understood my situation and thankfully we did get my house sold. I’ve no doubt that’s down to Karen. She provided a truly personal and amazing service and made sure I was at ease throughout. I can’t thank Karen and the team enough. I’d highly recommend Richard Kendall to anyone. They will look after you and make your home selling journey stress free. Thanks Karen. SH 12/09/2026

Jessica has been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole process. She has always been very receptive to our queries, responding promptly and efficiently, and has been proactive in progressing the tenancy agreement with our new tenants. She is a genuinely lovely person to deal with, and her professionalism, responsiveness and helpful approach have made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Amazing service—thank you, Jessica! Dr. Prateek 09/09/2026

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