Do you need an EPC to sell your house in 2026?
Published 2 June 2026 · 5 min read · By Evren Ergin
Yes. By law you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate, known as an EPC, before you put your home on the market to sell, and you can be fined if you do not. There is no minimum rating you must reach to sell, so even a low rated home can be sold legally.
TL;DR
- •An EPC is legally required before you market your home for sale, and it is free for buyers to view.
- •There is no minimum EPC rating to sell a home, unlike rented properties which face tighter rules.
- •An EPC lasts 10 years, costs roughly £35 to £120, and rates your home from A to G.
- •The EPC system is being reformed, but the bigger changes are now expected from the second half of 2027.
An Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, is an official rating of how energy efficient a property is, scored from A for the most efficient to G for the least. It is produced by an accredited assessor who visits the property, and it must be available to buyers before marketing begins.
Is an EPC a legal requirement when selling?
Yes. Government guidance states you must order an EPC for potential buyers before you market your property to sell, and you can be fined if you do not get one when you need it. For a home, the penalty for failing to make an EPC available is typically £200.
Is there a minimum EPC rating to sell a house?
No. You can sell a home with any EPC rating, including the lowest bands. A minimum rating of EPC C is being phased in for privately rented homes by 2030, but that rule applies to landlords letting property, not to owners selling their own home.
EPC facts for home sellers (2026)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Needed to sell? | Yes, before marketing begins |
| Minimum rating to sell? | No minimum rating required |
| How long it lasts | 10 years |
| Typical cost | Around £35 to £120 |
| Rating scale | A (best) to G (worst) |
| Penalty if you skip it | Typically £200 for a home |
How much does an EPC cost and how long does it last?
An EPC usually costs somewhere between £35 and £120 depending on the size of the property and where you are in the country, and it stays valid for 10 years. If your home was sold, rented or built in the last decade it may already have a valid certificate, which you can check on the free government EPC register before paying for a new one.
Is the EPC system changing in 2026?
Is the EPC being replaced?
The government plans to move from the current single score to a new multi metric EPC that shows more than one measure of a home's performance. After a review, the main reform is now expected from the second half of 2027 rather than 2026.
Do the new rental rules affect me as a seller?
Not directly. The plan to require privately rented homes to reach EPC C by 2030 applies to landlords. If you are selling your own home to live in or move on from, there is still no minimum rating.
Should I improve my EPC before selling?
It is optional. A better rating can make a home more appealing and cheaper to run, which some buyers value, but you are free to sell as is. Loft insulation and LED lighting are the usual low cost improvements.
Where do I get an EPC?
From an accredited domestic energy assessor. Many estate agents will arrange one for you as part of taking your home to market, or you can book one directly.
What should a seller do about their EPC?
- Check the government EPC register to see if your home already has a valid certificate.
- If it has expired or you have never had one, book an accredited assessor before you start marketing.
- Decide whether any quick efficiency improvements are worth doing before the assessment.
- Factor the EPC into your overall selling timeline so it does not hold up your launch.
ValuQ is a platform that gives UK homeowners free, side-by-side property valuations from competing local estate agents, so you can line up your move on your own terms. Knowing the rules before you start, like the EPC requirement, keeps the decision and the timeline in your hands.
Sources
- [1]GOV.UK, Buying or selling your home: Energy Performance Certificates · 2026-01-01 · https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates
- [2]GOV.UK, Domestic minimum energy efficiency standard guidance · 2026-01-21 · https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-private-rented-property-minimum-energy-efficiency-standard-landlord-guidance
- [3]Jones Day, EPC C by 2030: what investors need to know · 2026-03-01 · https://www.jonesday.com/en/insights/2026/03/epc-c-by-2030-what-real-estate-investors-need-to-know-about-the-uks-new-minimum-energy-efficiency-standards
- [4]HomeOwners Alliance, Energy Performance Certificates explained · 2026-01-01 · https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-selling/
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