Energy Performance Certificates: guide

EPCs are changing

New Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are being introduced from 30 April 2028.

This change means: 

• new-style certificates will be introduced 

• domestic EPCs will show ratings for heat retention, heating system and energy costs 

• non-domestic EPCs will show ratings for energy performance, energy use and direct emissions 

• certificates will be valid for 5 years, rather than 10 

• quality assurance will be strengthened through a new accreditation scheme 

You can read more about how each of these ratings are calculated in the EPC reform consultation response. 

Transition to the new EPCs 

EPCs are currently administered under 2008 regulations which are changing to regulations made in 2025.  

There is a transition period when both old-style and new-style EPCs can be used. These are the temporary arrangements. 

You can read more details about the transitional arrangements in the EPC reform update. 

Buildings for sale or let (other than short-term lets) 

After 30 April 2028, if you're selling or letting a building, you're required to provide a valid EPC and property report both when you advertise it and once it's sold or let. 

These rules apply until 30 April 2029 for buildings that are for sale or rent. 

If a property is sold or let again, before that end date, the transition period for that property finishes early, and a new-style EPC and property report will be required at the point of sale or let. 

This means: 

• between 30 April 2028 and 30 April 2029, you can sell or let a property using either your existing EPC and recommendations report from the 2008 regulations, or a new-style EPC and property report from the 2025 regulations 

• however, if a property is sold or let again within that one-year window, it can't rely on the old-style EPC a second time. It must have a new-style EPC and property report for that next sale or let 

• after 30 April 2029, only the new-style EPC will be accepted for any sale or let 

From 30 April 2028 onwards, assessors will only be able to issue new-style EPCs. Any new EPC commissioned from this date will be in the new-style.  

From 30 April 2029, only EPCs issued under the 2025 rules will be valid for meeting these requirements. 

Short-term lets 

From 30 April 2028 to 30 April 2029, you can use: 

• your existing EPC and recommendations report issued under the 2008 rules, or 

• a new-style EPC and property report issued under the 2025 rules. 

This grace period is designed to give Scotland's 30,000 short-term lets time to move across gradually, spreading out the transition so it doesn't disrupt the market. 

From 30 April 2029 onwards, only the new-style EPC and property report will be compliant with the regulations. Old-style certificates will no longer be valid for letting a short-term let property. 

Large non-domestic buildings visited by the public 

Certain large buildings that are regularly visited by the public, are required to display a valid EPC where visitors can easily see it. 

This includes colleges, community centres, libraries, hospitals, benefit offices and crematoria. 

After 30 April 2028, a building that already displays an old-style EPC (issued under the 2008 regulations), can carry on using it, but only until it expires or 30 April 2033, whichever comes first. 

This means: 

• if your current EPC expires before 30 April 2033, you'll need to replace it with a new-style EPC when it runs out 

• if your current EPC is still valid on 30 April 2033, you'll need to switch to a new-style EPC on that date, even if the old one hasn't technically expired 

From 30 April 2033 onwards, every large public building will need to display a new-style EPC that meets the 2025 regulations. 

New buildings 

Any building completed on or after 30 April 2028 needs the new-style EPC and a property report. Developers must provide these to the owner of the building within 7 days of submitting a completion certificate to a local authority. Enforcement action may be taken by the enforcement authority if this is not undertaken.