- Before listingIt must be booked before marketing starts
- 7 daysTo have it once marketing starts
- £200Penalty for selling without one
The rules for sellers
- You must have commissioned an EPC before you start marketing the home.
- It should be available within 7 days of marketing starting, with a further 21 days allowed only if there's a genuine delay.
- The rating has to be shown in adverts, including on property portals.
- Selling without one can lead to a £200 penalty from Trading Standards.
In practice your estate agent will ask for it before the listing goes live, and the buyer's solicitor will expect a copy during conveyancing.
Don't let it hold up your listing
- When you choose an agent
Book the EPC
Check the register first: a certificate under 10 years old can be reused. - Usually within days
The visit
About 30 to 45 minutes. You don't need to be there if someone can let the assessor in. - A day or two later
The certificate is lodged
We email you the link, and your agent can download it from the register. - Listing day
Your home goes live
With the rating shown, ready for photos, floor plans and viewings.
Check if you already have one
Search the register by postcode. If your home has a certificate that's still in date, your agent can use it. If it's expired, or you've made improvements since, book a new one.
Does a low rating stop a sale?
No. You can sell a home with any rating. Buyers will see it, so it's worth knowing what affects it. See what a low rating means when you sell.