What happens when a Commercial EPC expires?

Once a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reaches its ten-year expiry date, it’s no longer valid for marketing, sale or lease purposes. The law requires a current certificate to be available whenever a commercial property is put on the market. Advertising or agreeing a lease without one can lead to fines and enforcement action from local authorities.

There’s no penalty for simply holding an expired certificate, but you can’t use it for any new transaction. If you plan to sell or re-let the property, you’ll need a new assessment before marketing begins. The process is straightforward: an accredited assessor revisits the site, collects updated building data and issues a fresh certificate. Many owners renew early so their listing always shows an active EPC, which helps with both compliance and presentation.

Keeping your Commercial EPC valid is the easiest way to stay on the right side of regulations and reassure potential tenants or buyers that your building meets modern efficiency standards.