Do I need an EPC to sell my house?
Published 23 June 2026 · 4 min read · By Evren Ergin
Yes. If you are selling a home in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the law says you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate, and you need to have at least ordered it before your home goes on the market. An EPC is valid for ten years, so if you bought recently you may already have one.
TL;DR
- •An EPC is a legal requirement when you sell, and it must be ordered before your home is marketed.
- •A certificate lasts ten years, so check the government register before you pay for a new one.
- •Most EPCs cost between 60 and 120 pounds and take a qualified assessor about an hour at the property.
- •Failing to provide one when you should can lead to a fine of up to 5,000 pounds.
What is an EPC, and what does it show?
An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a document that rates how energy efficient your home is on a scale from A, the most efficient, to G, the least efficient. It is produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor who visits the property. It shows your home's current rating, a potential rating, and a short list of suggested improvements.
Do I legally need an EPC to sell?
Yes. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland an EPC is a legal requirement when you sell a home. You must have ordered the certificate before you put the property on the market, and the rating should appear in your listing. Scotland has its own version of the rule, where the EPC must be displayed inside the property.
Do I already have a valid one?
Possibly. An EPC lasts ten years from the date it was issued, no matter how many times the home is sold or let in that time. If you bought your home in the last decade, the certificate from that purchase may still be valid. You can check free of charge on the government EPC register using your postcode.
EPC essentials for sellers (sources: GOV.UK; HomeOwners Alliance, 2026)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it required to sell? | Yes, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own rule. |
| How long is it valid? | 10 years from the date of issue. |
| Typical cost | Between 60 and 120 pounds. |
| Who produces it? | An accredited domestic energy assessor. |
| When must you have it? | Ordered before the home is marketed. |
| Penalty for not having one | A fine of up to 5,000 pounds. |
How much does an EPC cost and how do I get one?
Most sellers pay between 60 and 120 pounds, depending on the size and type of the property and the assessor they use. You can book an assessor directly, or your estate agent can arrange one as part of taking the home to market. The assessment usually takes under an hour, and the certificate is normally ready within a few days.
What is changing with EPCs in 2026?
In January 2026 the government announced that the single headline rating will be replaced with four separate measures: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness. The change is being phased in. Certificates issued under the old format stay valid until the end of their ten year life, so a current EPC does not suddenly stop counting.
Can I market my house without an EPC?
No. You must have at least ordered an EPC before the property is advertised. In practice most agents will not list a home until the certificate is on its way.
Does a low EPC rating stop me selling?
No. There is no minimum rating to sell your own home. A low rating can affect what some buyers offer, but it does not block the sale. Minimum-rating rules apply to landlords letting property, not to owners selling their own home.
Do I need a new EPC if I have made improvements?
Not necessarily. Your existing certificate stays valid for its full ten years. You may choose to commission a fresh one if you have made big efficiency upgrades and want the higher rating to show in your listing.
How do I check if my home already has one?
Search the government EPC register using your postcode. It is free, and it shows the rating and the expiry date of any existing certificate.
Where ValuQ fits in
Knowing the rules before you list keeps you in control of your own sale. ValuQ is a UK platform that gives homeowners free, side-by-side property valuations from competing local estate agents, so you can compare on one screen before you commit to anyone. The agents you compare can also arrange your EPC as part of taking the home to market.
Sources
- [1]GOV.UK — Selling a home: Energy Performance Certificates · 2026-01-01 · https://www.gov.uk/selling-a-home/energy-performance-certificates
- [2]HomeOwners Alliance — How much does an EPC cost? (2026) · 2026-01-01 · https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-selling/how-much-does-an-epc-cost/
- [3]HomeOwners Alliance — EPC changes 2026: the new rules · 2026-01-01 · https://hoa.org.uk/news/epc-changes/
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