How long does an EPC last?

An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years. You do not need a new one each time a property is sold or re-let within that period, although you can commission a fresh assessment sooner if energy-efficiency improvements have been made and you want the rating updated.

What EPC rating do I need to rent out a property?

Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), privately rented homes in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of at least E to be let, unless a valid exemption is registered. Letting a sub-standard property without an exemption can lead to civil penalties from the local authority.

Property & Construction

What is EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)?

An Energy Performance Certificate rates a building's energy efficiency from A (best) to G (worst). EPCs are mandatory for properties when sold, let or constructed and remain valid for 10 years. Since April 2020, privately rented homes in England and Wales must achieve at least an E rating unless an exemption applies. EPCs are produced by accredited Domestic or Non-Domestic Energy Assessors.

EPC (Energy Performance Certificate): frequently asked questions

How long does an EPC last?: An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years. You do not need a new one each time a property is sold or re-let within that period, although you can commission a fresh assessment sooner if energy-efficiency improvements have been made and you want the rating updated.
What EPC rating do I need to rent out a property?: Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), privately rented homes in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of at least E to be let, unless a valid exemption is registered. Letting a sub-standard property without an exemption can lead to civil penalties from the local authority.

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Yolist. (2026). What Is EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)? Yolist UK Business & Trade Glossary. Retrieved June 9, 2026, from https://yolist.uk/glossary/epc

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