How EPC Delays Impact Property Sales (and What Estate Agents Can Do About It)

Why EPC delays cause real problems for estate agents

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement before a property can be marketed, yet EPC delays remain one of the most common causes of avoidable listing hold-ups for estate agents.

When an EPC isn’t arranged early enough, properties stall before they ever reach the portals. Photography may be complete and descriptions written, but the listing cannot legally go live. This is a frequent issue in high-volume markets such as London and Manchester, where assessor availability can vary significantly by postcode.

• Listings fail to go live when promised
• Vendors lose confidence in the instruction process
• Marketing schedules and pipeline forecasts slip
• Sales progression teams inherit unnecessary friction later

The hidden cost: lost momentum and buyer confidence

Property sales rely heavily on momentum. When EPCs delay the initial marketing phase, that momentum is lost before demand has a chance to build.

Incomplete or delayed EPC documentation can result in:

• Listings being withheld from portals
• Buyers encountering missing compliance information
• Reduced urgency and weaker early interest

From a buyer’s perspective, early delays often raise unnecessary concerns. EPC ratings increasingly influence buyer behaviour, particularly where energy efficiency affects affordability. This link between EPCs and buyer confidence is explored further in how EPC ratings affect house prices.

Why EPC delays are becoming more common across the UK

EPC delays are no longer isolated issues. They are becoming more frequent due to a combination of regulatory pressure, rising demand, and fragmented booking processes.

• Increased EPC demand linked to upcoming regulatory changes
• Regional shortages of qualified assessors
• Vendors leaving EPCs too late in the instruction process
• Agents relying on multiple ad-hoc assessor contacts

In coastal and regional markets such as Blackpool, delays often occur during seasonal demand spikes. In cities like Bristol, availability and logistics are more commonly the issue. In both cases, agents lose control over timelines.

Much of this pressure is also driven by uncertainty around future EPC requirements. Many vendors and agents are still unclear on whether existing certificates will remain valid. This is covered in more detail in whether a new EPC will be required in 2026.

How EPC delays resurface during sales progression

Even where a sale is agreed, EPC-related issues often reappear later in the transaction:

• Solicitors requesting missing or outdated EPCs
• Buyers raising energy efficiency concerns after surveys
• Mortgage lenders flagging EPC-related risks

At this stage, delays are more damaging. Transactions are already emotionally and financially committed, and any interruption increases the risk of fall-throughs.

What estate agents can do to prevent EPC-related delays

The most effective agents treat EPCs as part of the instruction process, not an administrative afterthought.

Practical steps that reduce delays include:

• Arranging EPCs immediately once terms are agreed
• Using a single nationwide EPC provider rather than multiple local contacts
• Setting clear expectations with vendors from day one
• Removing the need for agents to chase assessors manually

Agents who centralise EPC bookings gain predictability, reduce admin time, and protect deal momentum.

Why nationwide EPC coverage matters for estate agents

For agencies operating across multiple branches or regions, inconsistent EPC turnaround times create uneven service levels. One branch performs smoothly while another experiences repeated delays purely due to geography.

Nationwide EPC coverage ensures:

• Consistent turnaround times across regions
• A smoother experience for vendors and buyers
• Greater control over listing and sales timelines

When EPCs are handled efficiently, properties reach the market faster and sales progress with fewer interruptions. EPCs can be arranged directly through the Move-Nest booking system, providing nationwide coverage and end-to-end management for estate agents.