A to G
EPC rating scale
A is the most efficient. G is the least. D is the national average for English homes.
10 years
How long an EPC lasts
From the assessment date. It does not reset when the property changes hands.
£60–£120
Typical assessment cost
There is no nationally fixed price. Assessors set their own rates.
2008
Year EPCs became mandatory
Required when selling or renting any domestic property in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
You need an EPC before you can list a property, not after
Many sellers and landlords assume they can sort the EPC once an offer comes in or when a tenant is found. That is not how it works. You must have a valid EPC in place before you begin marketing the property. Estate agents will not list without one. This applies to sales and lettings alike.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, where A is the most efficient and G is the least. It is produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor who visits the property and records its features: the construction type, insulation levels, heating system, windows, hot water system, and similar characteristics.
The certificate shows two ratings: the property's current score and its potential score if all the recommended improvements listed in the report were carried out. It also includes estimated annual energy costs, the list of recommended improvements, a SAP score (a number from 1 to 100 that underlies the letter grade), and an estimate of CO2 emissions.
EPCs became mandatory in 2008. Any property being sold or let must have a valid one. The certificate is not a structural survey. It does not cover damp, planning history, or the general condition of the building.
Check your current rating for free before booking an assessor
Your property may already have a valid EPC on the government register. If it was assessed within the last 10 years, the certificate is still valid and you do not need a new one. Searching the register is free and takes under a minute.
When do you need an EPC?
You need a valid EPC when:
- Selling a property
- Renting it out, including short-term lets in many cases
- Building a new property
- When a prospective buyer or tenant requests one
The timing is the part people get wrong. You need the EPC in place before marketing begins: before the property goes on Rightmove, before viewings start, before any letting agent takes it on. Not after an offer comes in.
Listed buildings are the main category exempt from the requirement. If you believe your property may qualify for an exemption, check at GOV.UK before proceeding without one.
How long does an EPC last?
Ten years from the date of the assessment. The date on the certificate is what matters, not the date of any subsequent sale or tenancy.
If someone bought a property in 2015 with a 2013 EPC, that certificate expires in 2023 regardless of when the property changed hands. If you are buying, check the assessment date on any EPC you are shown, not just the rating.
A valid certificate from a previous owner counts. You do not need to commission a new one just because you have bought the property, as long as the existing one has not expired.
Penalties for not having an EPC
Failing to have a valid EPC when selling or renting is enforced by local Trading Standards. Penalties apply to sellers and landlords who market a property without one. The current penalty amounts are set in government regulations and can change. Check GOV.UK for the current figures before assuming you know the amount.
EPC guides
EPC register
Check your property's current EPC rating for free. The government register holds certificates going back to 2008. Search by postcode or address with no account needed.
EPC ratings explained
What each band from A to G means for your energy bills, how the current and potential ratings differ, what improvements move you up a band, and what the SAP score is.
EPC cost
How much a new assessment costs, why prices vary by location and property size, how to find an accredited assessor, and whether you might be able to get one free through a grant scheme.
Landlords: the proposed 2030 EPC C requirement
The government has proposed requiring all rental properties to reach at least EPC C by 2030. This policy has been subject to revision and the current position should be verified at GOV.UK. If your property is currently rated D or E, it is worth understanding what work would be needed to reach C, and whether any grant funding applies.
Get guides on home costs, grants, and energy ratings.
Common questions about EPCs
Do I need an EPC to sell my house?▾
Yes. You must have a valid EPC in place before marketing the property. Estate agents will not list without one. The only significant exemption is for listed buildings. For the vast majority of residential properties, it is a legal requirement.
How long does an EPC last?▾
Ten years from the assessment date. The certificate stays with the property and does not reset when ownership changes. If you are buying, check the date on the EPC you are shown, not just the letter grade.
Who is responsible for getting the EPC: buyer or seller?▾
The seller commissions the EPC when selling, and the landlord commissions it when renting out. The buyer or tenant receives a copy. It is not the buyer's or tenant's responsibility to arrange one.
Can I sell a house without an EPC?▾
In most cases, no. It is a legal requirement before marketing a property for sale. Listed buildings are the main exemption. If you think your property might qualify, verify the exemption criteria at GOV.UK before proceeding without one.
What does my EPC rating mean for my energy bills?▾
An E-rated home costs significantly more to heat than a C-rated equivalent. The certificate includes estimated annual energy costs, which give a rough indication. They are calculated using standardised assumptions about occupancy and usage, not your actual consumption, so treat them as a guide rather than a prediction.
How much does an EPC cost?▾
Typically £60 to £120 for a standard residential property. There is no nationally fixed price. Assessors set their own rates, and prices vary by location, property size, and demand in your area.
Can I get a better EPC rating by doing work before the assessment?▾
Yes. The assessor records the property as it is on the day of the visit. Completing improvements before the assessment, such as loft insulation or a new boiler, means those improvements are captured in the rating. There is no benefit to doing the work after the assessment if you want a better certificate.
What is the 2030 EPC C requirement for landlords?▾
The government has proposed requiring all rental properties to reach at least EPC C by 2030. The policy has been revised before and the current status should be checked at GOV.UK. If your property is currently D or E, it is worth understanding what would be needed to reach C regardless of how the policy develops.
Is an EPC the same as a home energy audit?▾
No. An EPC is a standardised rating produced to a set methodology, primarily for legal compliance purposes. A full home energy audit is a more detailed, bespoke assessment usually carried out before major retrofit work. They serve different purposes.
Does a new boiler improve my EPC rating?▾
Usually yes. Replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a modern A-rated model is one of the higher-impact individual improvements and typically moves the rating up by one band. The exact effect depends on the rest of the property.
Related pages
- →EPC registerCheck your property's current EPC rating for free on the government register.
- →EPC ratings explainedWhat each band means, how to improve your rating, and what the SAP score is.
- →EPC assessment costsHow much an EPC costs, how to find an accredited assessor, and whether you can get one free.
- →BenefitsGrant schemes like ECO4 often require you to receive a qualifying benefit. Check what you're entitled to here.