What is an EPC and Do I Need One to Sell My House?

This is general information, not legal advice. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rules and exemptions can change. Check GOV.UK: Energy Performance Certificates and Find an energy certificate. My Savvi Home is a property advertising platform. We do not issue EPCs.

Quick answer

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient a home is, from A (best) to G (worst). In England and Wales, you must have an EPC (or have ordered one) before you market a property for sale or rent in most cases. Certificates are normally valid for 10 years.

You can be fined if you market without the certificate when one is required. Official page: Energy Performance Certificates.

What an EPC actually shows

An EPC typically includes:

• the current energy efficiency rating (A to G)
• estimated energy use and typical energy costs for the property type
• recommended improvements that could raise the rating and cut running costs
• an environmental impact rating in many certificates

Buyers use it to compare running costs and future upgrade work. Lenders and surveyors may glance at it too. It is not a structural survey and it does not prove the boiler or wiring is safe.

Do you need an EPC to sell?

For a normal residential sale in England and Wales: yes, before marketing. GOV.UK states you must order an EPC for potential buyers before you market the property to sell.

Scotland has its own display rules (for example showing the certificate in the property). Follow Scottish guidance if the home is in Scotland.

Selling vs renting: do not mix the rules

A common mix-up: the minimum energy efficiency standard (often band E) is about letting many domestic rented properties, not a blanket “you cannot sell below E” rule. When you sell, the core duty is to provide a valid EPC when required, not to hit a particular letter for the sale itself.

If you also let property, read the rental MEES rules separately. Do not treat this sale guide as landlord compliance advice.

Check for a valid certificate first (often free)

Before you pay an assessor:

1. Use Find an energy certificate.
2. Search your address.
3. Download the PDF if a valid certificate exists.

If the property does not appear, or the certificate has expired (over 10 years), commission a new one.

GOV.UK's selling guide also notes that if you bought recently you may already have a reusable EPC, provided works have not changed the rating in a way that needs a fresh certificate: How to sell a home.

How to get a new EPC

1. Find an accredited assessor via the government find-an-assessor service linked from the EPC guidance.
2. Book a visit. The assessor measures and records the property's construction, heating, insulation, glazing, and related features.
3. Pay the assessor fee (prices vary by region and property size; get a written quote).
4. Receive the lodged certificate. It should appear on the public register.

You do not need an estate agent to order an EPC. Private sellers on My Savvi Home should arrange the certificate themselves (or via an assessor) so the listing stays lawful and honest.

When you may not need an EPC

GOV.UK lists exemptions and edge cases. Examples include certain temporary buildings, some very small stand-alone buildings, some industrial or agricultural buildings with low energy use, some buildings due for demolition, certain holiday lets used for limited periods, places of worship, and some listed buildings where energy works would unacceptably alter character (check with the local conservation officer).

Do not assume you are exempt because a neighbour said so. Read the official list and take advice if the title is unusual.

Fines and marketing risk

GOV.UK warns you can be fined if you do not get an EPC when you need one. Separately, marketing without a certificate (when required) undermines buyer trust and can create compliance headaches for portals and platforms.

If you are listing privately:

• confirm the certificate before you publish the advert
• keep the rating and certificate reference accurate on the listing
• update the listing if a new certificate replaces an expired one mid-campaign

Improving the rating (optional, not a sale blocker)

Recommendations on the certificate are suggestions, not a forced shopping list for sellers. Some owners improve insulation, heating controls, or glazing before sale because buyers notice running costs. Others sell as-is and price accordingly.

If you improve the home after an old certificate, consider whether a new assessment better reflects the property. Misleading buyers about energy performance is a bad idea legally and commercially.

How EPCs fit a My Savvi Home private sale

1. Check Find an energy certificate.
2. Book an assessor if needed and wait for the lodged result.
3. List on My Savvi Home with truthful photos, price, and EPC details.
4. Instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer in parallel for the legal pack.
5. Share the certificate with serious buyers when they ask (sellers, landlords, or agents must show it to buyers or tenants when required).

My Savvi Home replaces the advertising layer with a flat monthly fee and zero commission. It does not replace EPC compliance or your lawyer.

FAQ

Can I market “EPC ordered”?

GOV.UK says you must order an EPC before you market. Follow the current official wording and your platform's listing rules. Do not invent a rating.

Does a low rating stop the sale?

A poor letter can put some buyers off or affect negotiations. It is not the same as the rental minimum standard rules. Price and disclosure matter.

Who pays for the EPC?

Usually the seller (or landlord) commissions and pays for it when selling or letting.

Where do I get help finding a certificate or assessor?

Contact details for MHCLG digital services support sit on the EPC GOV.UK page.

What to put on your listing

Once you have a valid certificate:

• show the current rating letter honestly
• do not invent a higher band after DIY that has not been reassessed
• keep a copy of the PDF ready for serious buyers and your solicitor
• if the certificate expires mid-campaign, commission a replacement before you keep advertising

Buyers compare homes on photos, price, and running costs. An EPC will not sell a poorly priced home, but a missing certificate can stop lawful marketing and invite enforcement risk.

Private sellers sometimes delay the assessor to “save a week.” That usually costs more in lost viewing time than the assessment fee. Book it when you decide to sell, alongside instructing your conveyancer.

New-build homes usually receive an EPC as part of construction. Still verify the certificate on the public register before you advertise a resale. Do not rely on a paper copy alone if the register entry is missing or expired.

Bottom line

For most UK residential sales you need a valid EPC before marketing. Check the register first, then hire an accredited assessor if required. Keep the listing accurate. Pair the certificate with proper conveyancing. Advertising on My Savvi Home does not remove the EPC duty.

Not legal advice. Confirm exemptions and current rules on GOV.UK for your property.