Why EPC delays are becoming a growing issue for Preston’s property market in 2026
Property transactions across Preston are becoming increasingly time-sensitive, with sellers, landlords and agents under pressure to keep sales and lettings moving in a market where delays can quickly derail deals.
One issue that is quietly contributing to these hold-ups in 2026 is the timing of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
While EPCs have long been a legal requirement when selling or letting a property, many homeowners and landlords still underestimate how often missing or expired certificates can stall progress. In Preston, where a large proportion of housing stock consists of older terraces, converted properties and rental accommodation, EPC-related delays are becoming more noticeable.
EPCs and transaction bottlenecks
An EPC must be in place before a property can be marketed for sale or rent. However, it is not uncommon for sellers to only realise a certificate has expired once an agent requests it, or for landlords to discover an EPC is missing when preparing to re-let a property.
These issues can create bottlenecks at key stages of a transaction. Properties may be withdrawn temporarily from listings, marketing start dates can be pushed back, and in some cases buyers or tenants lose confidence when timelines slip. In a competitive market, even short delays can have knock-on effects.
Why Preston properties are particularly affected
Preston’s housing mix plays a role in this growing issue. Many properties were built before modern energy standards were introduced, meaning EPC assessments can sometimes highlight areas that owners were not expecting. Rental properties, including HMOs and older buy-to-lets, are especially affected, as landlords often manage multiple compliance requirements at once.
With EPC regulations and expectations becoming more prominent in recent years, certificates are now checked more closely by agents, lenders and managing parties. This means gaps that may once have gone unnoticed are more likely to surface.
The importance of early preparation
For sellers and landlords, the simplest way to avoid EPC-related delays is early preparation. Checking whether an existing certificate is still valid, or arranging an assessment well before marketing begins, can prevent unnecessary disruption later in the process.
Estate agents across Lancashire have increasingly highlighted the importance of having compliance documents ready at instruction stage, rather than reacting once a property is already live. This proactive approach helps keep transactions on track and reduces last-minute complications.
Looking ahead
As 2026 progresses, EPCs are likely to remain a routine but essential part of property transactions rather than an afterthought. For Preston homeowners and landlords, understanding how EPC timing fits into the wider sales and lettings process is becoming just as important as pricing, presentation and marketing strategy.
In Preston, EPC-related delays tend to arise at the point a property is prepared for sale or re-letting, particularly where certificates have expired or were never obtained during earlier transactions. Understanding how EPC requirements apply locally can help sellers, landlords and agents avoid these hold-ups before marketing begins.
A detailed overview of how EPC requirements apply to properties in Preston is available here: