What to Do If Your EPC Has Expired in London

If you are preparing to sell or rent a property in London and discover that your EPC has expired, it is important to check the situation before putting the property on the market.

An Energy Performance Certificate provides information about a property’s energy efficiency and gives it an energy rating from A to G. For properties covered by the EPC requirements, an EPC generally needs to be dealt with before marketing for sale or rent.

The good news is that an expired EPC does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the property itself. It simply means you should check whether a new certificate is required.

How Long Is an EPC Valid?

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years.

However, the date of the certificate matters. If a newer EPC has been produced for the same property, the newer certificate becomes the relevant certificate.

GOV.UK explains that an EPC can generally be reused during its 10-year validity period.

You can check the official government records before booking a new assessment.

Check EPC Online in London: How to Find Your Certificate explains how property owners can search for an existing certificate before arranging another assessment.

How Do You Know If Your EPC Has Expired?

The simplest approach is to check the certificate details.

Look for:

• The property address

• The assessment date

• The certificate reference

• The current EPC rating

• The certificate validity period

You can also use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to search for an existing EPC.

This is worth doing before booking a new assessment because you may already have a valid certificate.

Do You Need a New EPC Before Selling or Renting?

If your property requires an EPC and the existing certificate has expired, you will generally need to arrange a new EPC before marketing the property.

GOV.UK states that an EPC must be ordered for potential buyers or tenants before a property is marketed for sale or rent, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.

The official GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificate guidance explains the requirements for properties being sold or rented.

For many homeowners, checking the EPC should therefore be one of the first steps when preparing a property for the market.

What If You Cannot Find Your EPC?

Sometimes a homeowner may know that an EPC was previously completed but cannot find the paperwork.

Instead of immediately booking another assessment, search the official EPC register first.

You can check:

• Whether an EPC exists

• The property address

• The certificate date

• The current rating

• Whether the certificate is still within its validity period

If you cannot find a valid certificate and your property requires one, arranging a new assessment may be the next step.

What If You Have Recently Improved the Property?

An expired EPC can be a useful opportunity to reassess the property after improvements.

For example, you may have:

• Installed new insulation

• Replaced the boiler

• Upgraded heating controls

• Changed windows

• Installed energy-efficient lighting

• Added renewable technology

However, you should not assume that a particular improvement will automatically produce a specific EPC rating.

The assessment should reflect the actual characteristics of the property and the evidence available to the assessor.

Before your appointment, it can therefore be useful to gather information about significant improvements.

Our recent guide How to Prepare for an EPC Assessment in London: A Practical Checklist explains what homeowners can do before the assessor arrives.

What About Listed or Older Properties?

Older London properties can require additional consideration.

Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian properties may have features such as:

• Solid walls

• Original windows

• Older heating systems

• Traditional construction

• Historic features

• Conservation restrictions

A property being listed does not automatically mean it is exempt from EPC requirements.

The circumstances of the property need to be considered carefully.

For more information, read our recent guide EPC for Listed Buildings in London: What Owners Need to Know.

The article explains why owners of historic properties should consider the building’s construction and conservation requirements when reviewing EPC recommendations.

What Should Landlords Do If Their EPC Has Expired?

Landlords should check the EPC before preparing a rental property for marketing.

For privately rented properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, the current rules generally require a minimum EPC rating of E unless a valid exemption applies.

The official GOV.UK guidance for domestic private rented property explains the current requirements and exemptions.

The government guidance was updated in May 2026, so landlords should check the latest information rather than relying on older articles or previous advice.

Our guide EPC for Landlords: What London Property Owners Need to Know Before Renting also covers the practical steps landlords can take when preparing a property for a new tenancy.

Should You Improve the Property Before Getting a New EPC?

This depends on your circumstances.

If you already know that certain improvements are needed, you may decide to complete them before arranging a new assessment.

However, you should avoid making expensive improvements solely because you expect them to produce a particular EPC rating.

Start by understanding the existing property and the recommendations from the EPC.

For landlords, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are particularly important because properties covered by the rules generally need to meet the required minimum standard or have a valid exemption.

You can also check the government’s Private Rented Sector energy standards information for information about registered exemptions.

What If You Need an EPC Quickly?

Sometimes an EPC only becomes an issue shortly before a property is due to be marketed.

For example:

• Your estate agent is ready to publish the listing

• Your existing EPC has expired

• A tenancy is approaching

• You have agreed a sale

• You have discovered that an EPC cannot be found

• You need to prepare the property quickly

In these situations, checking for a valid certificate should be the first step.

If a new assessment is required, Urgent EPC provides Same Day EPC services in London, subject to appointment availability.

The current service information states that same-day and next-day appointments are available across London, with many certificates delivered quickly after the inspection.

What Should You Do After Booking an EPC?

Once your appointment is arranged, make sure the assessor can access the relevant parts of the property.

It can help to:

• Provide access to all rooms

• Make the heating system accessible

• Make the boiler accessible

• Provide information about recent improvements

• Make relevant windows and insulation areas accessible

• Mention any access restrictions before the appointment

Good preparation can help the assessment run smoothly.

Expired EPC Checklist for London Property Owners

Before marketing your property, work through this checklist:

EPC checklist

• Check whether an EPC already exists

• Check the certificate date

• Confirm the property address

• Check the current EPC rating

• Check whether the certificate is still valid

• Search the official government register

• Arrange a new EPC if required

• Keep the certificate available for your estate or letting agent

Property preparation checklist

• Prepare the property for photography

• Arrange a floor plan if required

• Prepare the property description

• Check your property information

• Give the relevant documents to your estate or letting agent

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is an EPC valid?

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, although a newer EPC can replace an existing certificate.

Can I sell a property with an expired EPC?

If your property requires an EPC, you should arrange a valid EPC before marketing it for sale, subject to the applicable requirements and exemptions.

Can I rent out a property with an expired EPC?

If the property requires an EPC, you should check the current requirements before marketing or letting it. For privately rented properties covered by MEES, additional minimum-rating requirements may apply.

Can I check my EPC online?

Yes. You can use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to search for an existing certificate.

Do I need a new EPC every time I sell or rent my property?

No. A valid EPC is generally usable for 10 years. Check the existing certificate before arranging another assessment.

What should I do if my EPC has expired?

First check the official EPC register. If there is no valid certificate and your property requires one, arrange a new EPC assessment before marketing the property.

Prepare Your London Property Before Marketing

An expired EPC does not need to become an unexpected delay.

Start by checking whether your property already has a valid certificate. If the EPC has expired, check the current requirements and arrange a new assessment if necessary.

It is also worth preparing your other marketing materials at the same time, including your property photographs, floor plan and property description.

For London homeowners, landlords and estate agents who need an EPC, Urgent EPC provides residential EPC and same-day EPC services across London, subject to availability.