If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, one of the first questions to settle is the Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC. The short answer is yes - you need a valid EPC in place before you start marketing your property for sale, and it must be made available to people thinking of buying. The good news is that it is usually quick, inexpensive and long-lasting, so for most sellers it is a one-off job near the start of the process. Last reviewed: 30 May 2026.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates how energy-efficient a property is, on a scale from A (most efficient) down to G (least efficient). It also gives an estimate of running costs and suggests improvements that could raise the rating. Buyers use it to get a feel for likely heating bills and how the home compares with others, so it is genuinely useful information rather than just a box to tick.
You can find an existing certificate, check whether one is still valid, or order a new one on the official register at gov.uk: Find an energy certificate. It is worth checking here first - your home may already have a certificate from a previous sale or works.
Do you legally need one to sell?
Yes. You must have a valid EPC - or have commissioned one - before you market your property for sale, and it must be made available to prospective buyers. In practice that means arranging the EPC early, so it is ready when your listing goes live and when interested buyers start asking questions. Whether you are listing the property yourself or working with a local estate agent, the requirement is the same, and a good agent will normally help you organise the certificate as part of getting you to market.
For the official overview of your duties when selling, see gov.uk: Buying and selling your home.
How long does an EPC last?
An EPC is valid for 10 years. If your property already has one that is still within that period, you can usually rely on it for your sale rather than paying for a new one - though it is sensible to look at the existing certificate first. If you have made energy improvements since it was issued (for example new insulation, double glazing or a more efficient boiler), a fresh assessment may give you a better rating to show buyers, but that is your choice, not a requirement, while the existing certificate remains valid.
What does an EPC cost?
An EPC typically costs around £60 to £120. The exact price depends on factors such as the size and type of property and where you are in the country, so it is worth getting more than one quote. You only need one valid certificate, so this is generally a modest, one-off cost in the context of selling a home.
Who carries out the assessment?
An EPC is carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). The assessor visits the property, takes measurements and records details such as the type of walls, windows, heating and insulation, then produces the certificate and lodges it on the national register. The visit itself is usually fairly short and non-intrusive. When you order through the official route at gov.uk: Find an energy certificate, the certificate is recorded centrally so buyers and their advisers can verify it.
How to get yours sorted - a simple order of play
- Check the register to see whether your home already has a valid EPC.
- If it does and it is still within its 10-year life, you can normally use it for your sale.
- If it has expired, or there is no certificate, arrange one with an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor before you start marketing.
- Keep the certificate to hand so it can be made available to prospective buyers and passed to your conveyancer.
Are any properties exempt?
Most homes being sold need an EPC, but a small number of property types can be exempt in certain circumstances - some listed buildings are an often-cited example, though it is not a blanket rule and depends on the specifics. Because exemptions are narrow and the detail matters, do not assume your property qualifies. Check the current exemptions and the up-to-date position on gov.uk and, if you are unsure, ask your conveyancer or solicitor before deciding to market without one. If you do believe an exemption applies, get it confirmed rather than relying on assumption.
How the EPC fits into disclosure
The EPC is part of giving buyers the material information they need to make an informed decision. Making the certificate available early - rather than at the last minute - is good practice and helps the sale run smoothly, because buyers and their advisers will want to see it. The rating and the running-cost estimates can prompt sensible questions, so being ready to talk about them is part of presenting your home well.
An EPC sits alongside the other information you will share during a sale, and your conveyancer will fold it into the legal pack. If you want to understand the wider picture of what sellers should disclose and how the process works, start with gov.uk: Buying and selling your home.
A note for landlords (and accidental landlords)
There is sometimes confusion between the EPC rule for selling and the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) that apply to landlords letting property. They are separate matters. For selling, the requirement is simply to have a valid EPC available to buyers. The minimum-rating rules that can restrict whether a property may be let are a rental issue, not a sale one. If you are letting rather than selling, or doing both, read our dedicated rental and landlord compliance guide for the current position, and check the latest detail on gov.uk as the rules in this area continue to evolve.
The bottom line
For nearly all sellers, the EPC is straightforward: check whether you already have a valid one, order a new one from an accredited assessor if not, and make sure it is available before you market the property. It is inexpensive, lasts a decade, and gives buyers useful, honest information about the home. Sorting it early is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your sale on track - whether you list with Domovita yourself or bring in a local agent to handle it for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need an EPC before I put my house on the market?
Yes. You must have a valid EPC, or have commissioned one, before you market your property for sale, and it must be made available to prospective buyers. The simplest approach is to arrange it early so it is ready when your listing goes live. You can check for an existing one or order a new certificate on the gov.uk energy certificate register.
How long is an EPC valid for?
An EPC is valid for 10 years. If your home already has one within that period, you can usually rely on it for your sale without paying for a new assessment. It is still worth checking the existing certificate first, especially if you have made energy improvements since it was issued.
How much does an EPC cost?
An EPC typically costs around £60 to £120. The price varies with the size and type of property and your location, so it is worth getting more than one quote. As you only need one valid certificate, this is generally a modest one-off cost when selling.
Who is allowed to carry out an EPC?
An EPC must be carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). They visit the property, record its energy features and lodge the certificate on the national register. Ordering through the official route at gov.uk means the certificate is recorded centrally so buyers can verify it.
Are any properties exempt from needing an EPC to sell?
A small number of property types can be exempt in certain circumstances - some listed buildings are an often-cited example - but it is not a blanket rule and depends on the specifics. Do not assume your property qualifies. Check the current exemptions on gov.uk and confirm with your conveyancer or solicitor before deciding to market without one.
Is the EPC rule for selling the same as the rules landlords have to follow?
No, they are separate. For selling, the requirement is simply to have a valid EPC available to prospective buyers. The minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) that can restrict whether a property may be let are a rental matter, so if you are letting rather than selling, check our landlord guide and the latest gov.uk guidance for that position.
Related guides
- How to sell your home privately: a step-by-step guide
- What it costs to sell a home in the UK
- A Seller's Guide to Listing Your Home in the UK
- List your home on Domovita - free for private sellers
General information, not legal advice. This guide explains the rules in plain English and is kept under review, but the law changes and every situation is different. Always check the current position on the official gov.uk pages linked above, and take professional advice - a solicitor, conveyancer, accountant, or your local council as appropriate - before relying on it for a specific decision.