In short
In England and Wales you need a valid Energy Performance Certificate before you market a home for sale. Certificates last 10 years, so check the free government register first — you may already have one. A new EPC typically costs £60–£120. There is no minimum rating to sell, but buyers and their lenders do look at it.
Last updated . Reviewed by FindYourAgent editorial.
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Before you list
Your agent cannot legally market the home without an EPC or one commissioned.
- Search the government EPC register by postcode. If yours is under 10 years old, it can be reused.
- If it is old or the house has changed a lot (new boiler, insulation, windows), consider a fresh one — it may show a better rating.
- Book a domestic energy assessor (your agent can arrange one) and be home to let them in for about an hour.
- Find receipts for insulation, boiler or window work. Assessors can only credit what they can see or you can prove.
Cheap improvements that can lift a rating
Ask the assessor which ones would move you up a band before you spend anything.
- Loft insulation topped up to current depth.
- Low-energy bulbs in every fitting.
- Hot water cylinder jacket and lagged pipes.
- Draught-proofing doors and letterboxes.
- Heating controls — a programmer, room thermostat and radiator valves.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Rules differ.
- Scotland: the EPC is part of the Home Report, which sellers must commission before marketing.
- Northern Ireland: an EPC is required when selling, as in England and Wales.
Our take
Do not spend thousands chasing a better EPC band just to sell. Buyers notice the rating, but they price a house on location, space and condition. The quick fixes above are worth doing; a heat pump is a decision for the next owner.
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