Energy performance certificate (EPC) rules by UK nation

What the certificate is

An EPC gives an efficiency rating from A to G with recommendations for improvement. GOV.UK says only an accredited assessor can produce one; you pay the assessor, and your estate agent may be able to arrange it. You can check whether a property already has a valid EPC, and download it free, with the “find an energy certificate” service. If the property is not listed, you may need a new one. I found no official fixed price.

Rules by nation

England

GOV.UK says you need an EPC when you sell, rent out or build a property, and you must get one for buyers and tenants before you market the property. You can be fined if you do not get one when you need one; the page gives no amount. Exemptions include temporary buildings used for under two years, stand-alone buildings under 50 square metres, holiday lets rented under four months a year, places of worship, and some listed buildings where meeting energy requirements would unacceptably change their character.

Wales

Rent Smart Wales states rented properties must normally have a rating of E or above, for new tenancies and renewals from 1 April 2018 and all existing tenancies from 1 April 2020, with a civil penalty up to £5,000 unless an exemption applies. For sales in Wales I did not read a Welsh Government page; the GOV.UK landlord guidance below is stated to apply to England and Wales.

Scotland

Gov.scot says the EPC must be provided to the purchaser free of charge and the rating must appear in the property advertisement; failing that you may face a penalty charge notice of £500 or more. Mygov.scot says the Home Report has three parts: survey and valuation, property questionnaire and energy report, which is the EPC. The seller or agent must provide it within nine days of being asked. Where a home does not need a Home Report, the seller must still provide an EPC. See the Home Report guide.

Northern Ireland

Nidirect says an EPC is needed whenever a property is built or marketed for sale or rent. You must provide it to prospective buyers or tenants and give a copy to the new owner. Each EPC is valid for 10 years and can be reused for several sales or lettings in that time. District councils enforce; not having an EPC can lead to a penalty charge notice, but the page gives no amount. Nidirect’s page does not mention a minimum rating for rented homes.

Minimum rating for lettings (England and Wales)

The GOV.UK landlord guidance (updated 5 May 2026, “Applies to England and Wales”) says that since 1 April 2020 landlords can no longer let or continue to let covered properties rated below E without a valid exemption. Key points:

• a £3,500 (including VAT) cost cap on improvements, unless third-party funding covers more;
• penalties up to £4,000 for a non-compliant letting of 3 months or more, and up to £5,000 in total per property;
• exemptions, registered on the PRS Exemptions Register, mostly last 5 years (for example high cost, or all relevant improvements made), with a 6-month temporary exemption for a new landlord.

The government has said it aims for as many privately rented homes as possible to reach EPC band C or equivalent by 2030, and is exploring policy design after a 2026 consultation. No binding band C requirement is set out on that page, so it is an intention, not the rule today.

Changes to the EPC format

• England and Wales: the GOV.UK update of 9 March 2026 says the launch of the reformed domestic EPCs has moved to the second half of 2027, with a firm date to be agreed. Until then the current EPC applies.
• Scotland: the gov.scot update of 24 August 2026 says new-style EPCs take effect on 30 April 2028. From then until 30 April 2029, sales and lets can use old-style or new-style EPCs, and after 30 April 2029 only new-style ones. Lodgement fees rise on 31 October 2026.
• Northern Ireland: I found no reform date on the page read.

An existing valid EPC stays valid for its 10 years under the current rules.

Which professional to consult

An accredited domestic energy assessor produces the certificate. An estate agent can arrange one; see the estate agent page. A surveyor can advise on improvements; see the surveyor page. Check the assessor’s accreditation yourself.