What expiry actually does
A non-domestic EPC lasts ten years from lodgement. On expiry it does not disappear and it does not become false. It stops being a certificate you can rely on for a transaction.
| Situation | Does an expired EPC cause a problem? |
|---|---|
| Continuing to let, no new tenancy | Not directly – but you have no current evidence of compliance |
| Granting a new tenancy | Yes – a valid EPC is required |
| Selling | Yes – a valid EPC is required |
| Registering a MEES exemption | Yes – the register asks for a valid certificate |
| Refinancing | In practice yes – lenders ask |
| Trading standards compliance notice | You will be asked to evidence the position, and cannot |
Why expiry is often an opportunity
A certificate expiring in 2026 was produced in 2016, under an older version of the calculation methodology and almost certainly before the building's most recent refurbishment. Ten years of LED replacements, plant renewals, controls upgrades and fabric work sit outside it.
Re-assessment on a properly assembled evidence pack frequently produces a materially better rating than the lapsed one, because the old certificate is not describing the current building.
What to do
- Find the certificate and note the expiry date and the recorded floor area.
- If it is expired or expiring within twelve months, assemble the evidence pack before booking anything.
- If the lapsed rating was F or G, treat it as urgent – it is the rating a purchaser, lender or enforcement officer will find.
- Diarise expiry dates across the portfolio. The portfolio tool does this in one pass.
Find the certificate you already have
Search the Energy Performance of Buildings Register for your building. It is free, there is no sign-up, and it takes about ten seconds.
Common questions
Does an expired EPC mean I am breaking the law?
Not by itself. MEES bites where there is a valid EPC. But you cannot grant a new tenancy without one, and an expired certificate usually means your compliance position is unevidenced rather than safe.
Do I have to renew an EPC when it expires?
Not merely because it expired. You need a valid one when you sell, let, or need to evidence a MEES position.
Is an expired EPC still on the register?
Yes. Expired certificates remain publicly visible, including the rating.