A BER certificate is valid for ten years from the date it is issued, provided the building hasn't undergone significant changes that would affect its energy performance. If a property has been extended, had its heating system replaced, or been substantially insulated since the last assessment, a new BER is generally advisable, and required for a subsequent sale or letting advertisement if the old one has expired.
Once issued by a registered BER assessor and lodged on the National BER Register, a Building Energy Rating certificate remains valid for ten years, regardless of whether the property changes hands during that period. This means a seller or landlord can potentially reuse an existing valid BER rather than commissioning a new one, which can save time and cost when a property is sold or re-let more than once within the ten-year window.
However, a BER reflects the condition of the building at the time of assessment, so if significant works have taken place since then, such as a new extension, replacement windows, upgraded insulation, or a new heating system like a heat pump, the certificate may no longer accurately represent the property's actual energy performance. In these cases, even though the old certificate is technically still valid, it's generally advisable to commission a fresh assessment so that advertisements and buyers or tenants see an accurate rating.
You can check whether a valid BER already exists, and its expiry date, through SEAI's National BER Register search, using the property's BER number or address, before deciding whether a new assessment is needed.