The 10-Year Validity Period
An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for exactly 10 years from the date it was issued. This applies to all domestic EPCs in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The expiry date is printed on the certificate itself and is also recorded on the national register.
For example, if your EPC was issued on 15 March 2018, it will expire on 15 March 2028. After that date, the certificate is no longer valid for legal purposes such as selling or renting.
The 10-year validity period was set when EPCs were introduced in 2007. The reasoning is that a decade is long enough to be practical (so homeowners don't face frequent reassessment costs) but short enough that the certificate remains broadly representative of the property's condition. Of course, a lot can change in 10 years — you might install new insulation, replace your boiler, or add solar panels — which is why early reassessment is sometimes worthwhile.
When You Need a Valid EPC
You need a valid (unexpired) EPC in these situations:
- Selling your property: You must have a valid EPC before marketing begins. It must be available to potential buyers from day one.
- Letting your property: Landlords must provide a valid EPC to tenants before a new tenancy starts. The property must also meet the minimum E rating. See our landlord guide.
- Building a new property: A new-build EPC must be produced when construction is completed.
You do not need a valid EPC if you're simply living in your home and not planning to sell or rent it. There's no requirement to maintain a current certificate just for your own use.
What Happens When an EPC Expires?
When your EPC reaches its 10-year expiry date:
- It becomes invalid for legal purposes. You can no longer use it to satisfy the requirement for selling or letting.
- It remains on the register. Expired EPCs are still visible on the national database. They're not deleted — they're simply marked as expired.
- The data is still useful. Even an expired EPC gives you a baseline understanding of your property's energy performance, though it may not reflect recent changes.
- You need a new one to transact. If you want to sell or let the property, you must commission a fresh assessment.
There is no penalty for having an expired EPC if you're not trying to sell or rent. The penalties only apply if you attempt to market a property without a valid certificate.
When to Get a New EPC Early
Even though your EPC lasts 10 years, there are good reasons to get a new one before it expires:
- After major improvements: If you've added insulation, upgraded your boiler, installed solar panels, or made other significant energy improvements, a new EPC will reflect these changes. This is especially valuable if you're planning to sell — a better rating makes your property more attractive and potentially more valuable.
- Before selling: Even if your current EPC is still valid, if it's several years old and you've made improvements, a fresh assessment could give you a better rating that helps with the sale.
- Landlord compliance: If you're a landlord and your property's current rating is borderline (e.g. a low E that might drop to F with a new assessment), you might choose to make improvements and get a new EPC to ensure compliance.
- Grant applications: Some government grants and schemes require a current EPC. If your existing one is very old, a new assessment might be needed.
Getting a new EPC doesn't invalidate your previous one — it simply provides a more current assessment. The new certificate will have its own 10-year validity period.
Tip: If you've made improvements, gather all the evidence (invoices, certificates, product specifications) before the assessor visits. This helps them accurately record what's been installed, leading to a better — and more accurate — rating.
How to Check Your EPC Status
Not sure when your EPC was issued or whether it's still valid? There are several ways to check:
- Our free search tool: Search by postcode to find your property's EPC details, including issue date and current rating.
- Official government register: Visit epc.opendatacommunities.org to search the national database directly.
- Your original certificate: If you have a copy of the EPC (paper or digital), the issue and expiry dates are printed on it.
- Your solicitor or estate agent: If you're in the process of selling or letting, they can check for you.
Check Your EPC Expiry Date
Search for free to see when your certificate was issued and whether it's still valid.
Check My EPC →Can You Have Multiple EPCs?
Yes, a property can have multiple EPCs on the register. Each time a new assessment is carried out, a new certificate is created with its own reference number, issue date, and 10-year validity period. Previous EPCs remain on the register but are superseded by the most recent one.
For legal purposes, the most recent valid EPC is the one that counts. If you have an EPC from 2020 and another from 2023, the 2023 certificate is the current one. However, both are publicly visible on the register, which can be useful for tracking changes in your property's energy performance over time.
If your most recent EPC gives a lower rating than an older one (perhaps due to methodology changes or a different assessor), you can't choose to use the older one instead — the most recent valid certificate takes precedence.
Validity in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland: EPCs in Scotland also have a 10-year validity period. They're managed by Energy Saving Trust Scotland and accessed through the Scottish EPC register. The assessment methodology is the same (RdSAP/SAP), and the certificates look similar to those in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland: EPC validity in Northern Ireland is also 10 years. Certificates are lodged on the Northern Ireland EPC register and are required when selling or renting properties, following similar rules to England and Wales.
EPC Validity for Landlords
Landlords face specific considerations around EPC validity:
- Must be valid at point of letting: Your EPC must be valid when you market and let the property. If it expires mid-tenancy, you don't need to get a new one until the next tenancy starts.
- MEES compliance: The minimum E rating requirement applies to the most recent valid EPC. If your current EPC shows E but expires, and your new assessment might show F due to methodology changes, this is a risk to be aware of.
- Renewals: For periodic tenancies that roll over without a new tenancy agreement, you technically still need a valid EPC. The exact enforcement of this varies, but it's best practice to keep your EPC current.
- Multiple properties: Keep a spreadsheet of all your properties' EPC dates so you can plan renewals in advance rather than scrambling at the last minute.
For more detail, see our comprehensive EPC guide for landlords.