An EPC is valid for 10 years or until replaced with a new one.

EPCs are not required on sale or rent for buildings due to be demolished, provided the seller or landlord can demonstrate that:

• the building is to be sold or rented out with vacant possession
• the building is suitable for demolition and
• the resulting site is suitable for redevelopment
• all relevant planning permissions, listed building consents and conservation area consents exist in relation to the demolition, and
• they believe, on reasonable grounds, that a prospective buyer or tenant intends to demolish the building (e.g. on evidence of an application for planning permission)

This is the responsibility of the building occupier.

The relevant person (i.e. the seller or landlord) has a duty to make available an EPC to a prospective buyer or tenant and may be liable to a penalty charge if they fail to do so, irrespective of whether the prospective buyer or tenant purports to waive an entitlement to receive the certificate.

As long as a valid EPC exists for the building, this can be provided to any prospective buyer or tenant. An EPC is valid for 10 years and during this period the same EPC can be provided to any prospective buyer or tenant. This EPC is no longer valid if a more recent EPC has been lodged on the central register.