How Long Is An Energy Performance Certificate Valid For?
An energy performance certificate, most commonly refered to as an EPC, is valid for a period of 10 years. This applies to both domestic and comercial properties.
All EPCs are kept on a central government register at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. The register will show if there is a valid epc along with the property’s energy rating.
Legal requirements regarding an epc
If your epc certificate has expired, you must obtain a new one for either of the following reasons:
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For all rental properties
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If the property is being sold, or re-mortgaged
Other reasons where an EPC may be required
Although not a legal requirement, EPCs can sometimes be requested by a third party. Some of the most common ones are for:
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Applying for a green mortgage
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Funding for ECO grants or government grant schemes
EPC Exemptions
Certain properties are exempt from needing an epc, these are:
- Places of worship
- Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years
- Stand-alone buildings (less than 50 square metres of floor-space)
- Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy
- Holiday accommodation rented out for less than four months per year
- Residential buildings intended to be used less than four months a year
- Unsafe properties, a property that poses a serious health and safety risk to occupants or visitors
- Properties to be demolished, properties that are due to be demolished where the marketing of the property, all the relevant documents and planning permission exists
- listed or officially protected buildings and the minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter it
Rickie Dickson is an experienced and qualified domestic and non domestic energy assessor. He helps homeowners and businesses in all matters relating to energy efficiency, from meeting building regulations compliance to improving a property’s energy rating score.