EPC Before Selling or Renting a Property in London: What You Need to Check
If you are preparing to sell or rent a property in London, checking your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) should be one of the first steps.
An EPC shows how energy efficient a property is and gives it a rating from A to G. In England and Wales, an EPC is generally valid for 10 years, although a newer certificate can replace an older one.
Before you start marketing your property, it is worth checking whether your existing EPC is still valid. This simple step can help you avoid delays when preparing your property for sale or rent.
Do You Need an EPC Before Marketing a Property?
Yes, in most cases.
GOV.UK states that you must have an EPC when selling or renting out a property. You must also order an EPC for potential buyers or tenants before marketing the property.
An EPC is not simply another document to collect after your property has been advertised. It forms part of the information that should be available during the marketing process.
The official government guidance explains that an EPC is valid for 10 years and can generally be reused during that period, provided it has not been replaced by a newer certificate.
You can read the latest GOV.UK guidance on Energy Performance Certificates for the official requirements.
Check Your Existing EPC First
Before booking a new assessment, check whether your property already has an EPC.
The government provides a free Find an Energy Certificate service. You can search using details such as the postcode, street name and town.
When checking your certificate, look at:
The property address
EPC rating
Certificate date
Expiry date
Energy efficiency information
Recommendations for improvements
Checking these details first can prevent you from paying for a new assessment when a valid EPC is already available.
If you cannot find a certificate or the existing EPC has expired, you may need a new assessment.
What If Your EPC Has Expired?
An expired EPC can cause problems when you are preparing a property for sale or rent.
If there is no valid EPC, you should arrange a new assessment before marketing the property.
This is particularly important when you have a fixed deadline. For example, you may already have an estate agent appointment, photography booked or a tenant waiting to move in.
Our guide on EPC Certificate Renewal: When London Landlords Need One explains how to check an EPC expiry date and when a new assessment may be required.
You can also read our guide on How to Get a New EPC Certificate in London if you need to arrange a new assessment.
What Does an EPC Tell Buyers and Tenants?
An EPC provides an energy-efficiency rating from A to G.
It also includes information about the property’s energy performance and recommendations for possible improvements.
The rating can therefore give potential buyers or tenants useful information when comparing properties.
However, an EPC does not describe the overall condition of a property. It should be considered alongside other property information, surveys, photographs and marketing details.
If you want to understand the meaning of your property’s rating, see our guide to Understanding EPC Ratings: What Your Grade Means.
Do You Need a New EPC Every Time You Sell or Rent?
Not necessarily.
An EPC is generally valid for 10 years. You do not normally need to arrange a new certificate simply because the property is being sold or a new tenant is moving in.
However, a newer EPC can replace the previous certificate.
For this reason, checking the official EPC register before arranging another assessment is a sensible first step.
The government confirms that an EPC can be reused during its validity period when the property is sold or rented again.
What If You Have Improved the Property?
If you have made improvements since the previous EPC, you may want to consider whether a new assessment is appropriate.
Examples of changes can include:
Installing a new heating system
Adding insulation
Replacing windows
Improving heating controls
Completing an extension
Making other energy-efficiency improvements
A new EPC can reflect the property’s condition at the time of the assessment.
However, you should not assume that a particular improvement will automatically produce a specific EPC rating. The final rating depends on the property and the information available to the assessor.
For more information, read our article on What Happens If Your Property Has Changed Since Your Last EPC?.
What Should You Do Before Putting Your Property on the Market?
A simple checklist can make the preparation process easier.
1. Check your EPC
Search the official government register and confirm whether your property has a valid certificate.
2. Check the expiry date
If your EPC has expired, arrange a new assessment before marketing the property.
3. Check the EPC rating
Make a note of the current rating and review the recommendations included in the certificate.
4. Prepare your property
Complete any planned work that you want finished before the property is photographed or assessed.
5. Arrange your property marketing
Once the property is ready, consider professional photography and a floor plan alongside your EPC.
6. Keep your documents organised
Having your EPC and other property information ready can make it easier to work with your estate or letting agent.
Our guide to preparing a London property for sale covers the wider preparation process.
Need an EPC Quickly in London?
Sometimes an EPC issue is discovered just before a property is due to be marketed.
If you have a tight deadline, a same-day assessment may be useful, subject to appointment availability.
Urgent EPC provides residential EPC assessments across London, including houses, flats and rental properties. The service is designed for homeowners, landlords, estate agents and property managers who need an EPC without unnecessary delays.
You can learn more about our Residential EPC service or see our Same Day EPC service.
If you need a certificate quickly, check availability and arrange your EPC assessment as early as possible.
Final Checklist
Before selling or renting your London property, make sure you:
Check whether an EPC already exists
Confirm the certificate is still valid
Check the property’s EPC rating
Review the recommendations
Arrange a new EPC if the existing one has expired
Prepare other property documents
Arrange professional photography and a floor plan if required
Keep your property marketing information accurate
Checking your EPC early is a small step that can help prevent avoidable delays later.
If you need a new EPC for a London property, book an EPC assessment with Urgent EPC and check the available appointment options.
Important
EPC requirements can change, and individual properties may have different circumstances or exemptions. Always check the latest official guidance on GOV.UK for the requirements that apply to your property.
