EPC for Selling a Property in London: What You Need to Know
If you are preparing to sell a house or flat in London, getting your paperwork organised before the property goes on the market can help make the process smoother. One of the documents you may need is an EPC for selling a property.
An Energy Performance Certificate shows how energy efficient a property is, using an A to G rating. In England, you generally need an EPC before marketing a property for sale or rent. The certificate also provides information about the property’s energy performance and recommendations for potential improvements.
If you are selling in London, it can make sense to arrange your EPC alongside other property marketing essentials such as professional photography and a floor plan. Having these materials ready can help you prepare a complete property listing.
Do You Need an EPC When Selling a Property?
In most cases, yes.
According to GOV.UK, an Energy Performance Certificate is required when selling or renting out a property, and an EPC should be ordered before the property is marketed for sale or rent.
An EPC is normally valid for 10 years. However, it is worth checking whether your property already has a valid certificate before ordering a new assessment.
You can use the official GOV.UK energy certificate search to check whether your property already has an EPC.
If the certificate has expired or the property does not have a valid EPC, you will generally need to arrange a new assessment before marketing the property.
What Does an EPC Tell a Buyer?
An EPC provides information about the energy efficiency of a property.
The certificate includes an energy efficiency rating from A to G, with A representing the most energy efficient rating and G the least efficient.
It also includes information about typical energy use and recommendations for improving the property’s energy performance.
For sellers, this means the EPC is more than just paperwork. It gives prospective buyers information about the property’s energy performance before they decide whether to proceed.
The GOV.UK guidance on Energy Performance Certificates explains the current requirements for properties being sold or rented in England.
Check Your Existing EPC Before Booking a New Assessment
Before arranging an EPC assessment, check whether your property already has a valid certificate.
This can save unnecessary time and expense if an existing EPC is still valid.
You can search using the property’s postcode, street name and town, or the certificate number through the official government service.
If you have recently purchased the property, there is a good chance that an EPC already exists. GOV.UK also notes that EPCs are generally valid for 10 years.
However, if you have carried out improvements that may affect the property’s energy performance, you may want to consider whether a new assessment is appropriate.
When Should You Arrange an EPC for Selling a Property?
Ideally, arrange your EPC before your property marketing is fully underway.
This is particularly useful if you are preparing several parts of your property listing at the same time.
For example, you may need:
An EPC
Professional property photographs
A floor plan
Property measurements and details
Listing information
Estate agent marketing materials
Arranging these services early gives you time to deal with anything that needs attention before your property is advertised.
For more information about what happens during an assessment, read our guide to what an EPC assessment includes.
What Happens During an EPC Assessment?
An EPC assessment involves an accredited energy assessor collecting information about the property.
The assessment considers relevant features of the building and its energy performance, including areas such as heating, insulation, lighting and other factors used to determine the property’s energy efficiency rating.
The information collected is then used to produce the EPC.
If you are unsure what to expect, our detailed EPC assessment guide for London property owners explains the process in more detail.
If you need a new certificate, you can also arrange an EPC assessment in London through our service.
Can You Improve Your EPC Before Selling?
Yes, you can consider energy-efficiency improvements before arranging a new EPC.
The right improvements depend on the property and its existing condition. Common examples can include improving insulation, upgrading lighting and addressing heating or hot-water efficiency.
However, it is important not to assume that every improvement will automatically increase the rating by a particular amount.
Your existing EPC recommendation report can provide useful guidance about possible improvements for your property.
We have also published a detailed guide covering how to improve your EPC rating before selling or letting.
If you are planning substantial work, consider the cost and likely benefit before committing to improvements purely for the purpose of changing the EPC rating.
Preparing Your Property Listing: EPC, Photos and Floor Plan
An EPC is only one part of preparing a property for sale.
A strong property listing normally needs clear information about the property as well as good visual presentation.
This is where professional photography and floor plans can complement your EPC.
Professional Property Photography
Good property photographs give potential buyers an immediate visual impression of the home.
Professional images can showcase rooms, layouts, natural light, features and the overall presentation of the property.
Our professional property photography service in London provides interior and exterior photography, with edited images prepared for property marketing.
Professional Floor Plans
A floor plan helps prospective buyers understand the property’s layout before arranging a viewing.
This can be particularly useful for flats, houses with unusual layouts, extensions and properties where room dimensions and connections between spaces are important.
Our professional floor plan service provides digital floor plans suitable for property listings and marketing.
Combine Your Property Marketing Materials
If you are arranging an EPC, photography and floor plan around the same time, using one provider can simplify the process.
Our property services booking page allows customers to request floor plan and property photography services and also provides an option for EPC, floor plan and property photography together.
This can be useful for homeowners, landlords, estate agents and property professionals preparing a property for sale or rental.
EPC for Selling a Property in Croydon and Across London
If your property is in South London, we provide EPC services across London, including areas such as Croydon and surrounding locations.
For example, homeowners and landlords in areas including Croydon, Thornton Heath, Mitcham, Clapham, Streatham, Tooting and Sutton may need an EPC when preparing a property for sale or rental.
If your property is in Croydon, you can also read our guide to property marketing services in Croydon, which covers EPCs, property photography and floor plans.
For other locations, contact us with your property postcode so we can confirm the available service.
How Much Does an EPC Cost in London?
EPC prices vary depending on the property and the assessor.
For an indication of current pricing, see our EPC Cost London 2026 guide.
Our current pricing page also provides domestic EPC options for different property sizes.
Because property requirements vary, it is sensible to check the latest price before booking rather than relying on an old quotation or price found elsewhere online.
What If You Need an EPC Quickly?
Sometimes a property is ready to go on the market but the EPC is missing or has expired.
In that situation, arranging the assessment promptly can help prevent the EPC from becoming a last-minute part of the marketing process.
If you need an EPC in London, you can book an EPC assessment and provide your property details to arrange the service.
For urgent requirements, tell the team your preferred date when making your enquiry so availability can be checked.
EPC for Selling a Property: Simple Checklist
Before putting your London property on the market, work through this checklist:
Check whether your property already has a valid EPC.
Check the EPC rating and recommendation report.
Arrange a new assessment if your EPC is expired or unavailable.
Consider relevant energy-efficiency improvements.
Prepare professional property photographs.
Arrange a clear property floor plan.
Gather accurate property information for the listing.
Make sure your marketing materials are ready before launch.
Keep your EPC available for prospective buyers.
The official government guidance confirms that an EPC is required when selling a property in England and that it should be ordered before the property is marketed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an EPC required to sell a house in London?
In most cases, yes. GOV.UK states that an EPC is required when selling a property and that you must order one before marketing the property for sale.
How long is an EPC valid?
An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, although a newer EPC can replace an earlier certificate for the same property.
Can I check my EPC online?
Yes. You can use the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service to search for an existing certificate.
Should I improve my EPC before selling?
It depends on the property and the cost of the proposed improvements. Start by checking your current EPC and its recommendations. Some improvements may be relatively simple, while others can require a larger investment.
Do I need professional photographs when selling?
Professional photography is not an EPC requirement, but high-quality property images can form an important part of your marketing materials. They help prospective buyers understand the appearance and condition of the property before arranging a viewing.
Is a floor plan required when selling?
A floor plan is not the same thing as an EPC and should not be confused with an energy assessment. However, a clear floor plan can be useful property marketing material because it helps prospective buyers understand the property’s layout.
Get Your Property Ready for Sale
Selling a property involves more than arranging an EPC. You also need accurate property information and marketing materials that present the home clearly to potential buyers.
If you need an EPC for selling a property in London, you can arrange your EPC alongside professional property photography and a floor plan.
Explore our EPC services, property photography and floor plan services, or use our booking page to enquire about your property services.
For questions about your property or booking requirements, you can also contact EPC London.
Important: EPC requirements and property regulations can change. For the latest legal requirements, always check the relevant GOV.UK guidance.