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...

Fantastic service Very productive in a market that is difficult and stressful. Helpful and always keeping you up to date with great advice in the process. John 09/06/2025

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Roger Hall visited us and gave us a valuation in October, after reviewing other estate agents we agreed to go ahead with Richard Kendall a week later. In the space of just 15 days we had an offer we had accepted on our property. We were buying a new build property with a long lead time (6 months), and Richard Kendall were fantastic in ensuring our prospective buyers (and anyone else in the chain) knew of the situation. I can't fault the speed or communication of the team, particularly Karen Dawson who helped us at every step. Andrew 09/06/2025

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We’ve just sold a property with Richard Kendall and couldn’t be happier with the excellent service received from Lucy and the team. Their professionalism and communication throughout was spot on and made the whole process much less stressful. We were also really impressed with their marketing of the property which resulted in lots of viewings, offers and the sale price we wanted. We actually moved to Richard Kendall from another local agent and couldn’t believe the difference in all aspects of the process. Brilliant from start to finish, can’t recommend Lucy and the team highly enough. Lydia 09/06/2025

The entire process of selling my parents' property during a difficult time was handled with exemplary care and professionalism. Amanda and the team at the Wakefield office were fantastic throughout. Their attention to detail, clear communication, and supportive approach made a challenging situation much easier to navigate. Special thanks again to Amanda, Andy and Donna for their invaluable input and assistance. Their expertise and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend this team for anyone seeking a smooth and supportive property sale experience. Ben 09/06/2025

We sold out flat through Richard Kendall, working mainly with Karen Marijewko and we could not have had a better experience than we did. Karen kept in touch through the full process without any prompting required, she was so supportive and helpful! We really couldn’t have asked for more from the agency in general but especially from Karen. The process wasn’t the smoothest but Karen helped move it along and always kept us in mind to get us the best experience, we are so grateful for everything Karen has done for us! Sarah & Warren 09/06/2025

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