Quick answer
To check a property's EPC, search the postcode on GOV.UK's free Find an energy certificate service.1 The certificate shows the energy rating from A (most efficient) to G, the floor area, the main heating and a list of recommended improvements with estimated costs. An EPC is valid for 10 years, and the seller must have one before the home is marketed.2
Key takeaways
- Free search by postcode on GOV.UK's Find an energy certificate.1
- Bands run from A (most efficient) to G; a certificate is valid for 10 years.2
- The seller must have an EPC before marketing; the penalty for not providing one is £200.3
- The certificate lists the floor area, heating, insulation and recommended upgrades with costs.
- Landlords: privately rented homes must reach EPC C by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap.4
Every home sold or rented in England and Wales needs an EPC, and the register is public. That makes it one of the most useful free checks: it gives you the floor area to compare prices, the likely cost of heating, and a to-do list of improvements with prices attached.
This guide covers England and Wales, which share the EPC register. Scotland has its own register.
How do you find a property's EPC for free?
Go to GOV.UK's Find an energy certificate,1 choose a domestic property, and enter the postcode. Pick the address from the list. If a home has several certificates, the most recent valid one applies, but older ones show what has changed, such as a new boiler or loft insulation.
If there is no certificate, ask the agent: a home being marketed for sale must have one.3 A home that has not been sold or let for more than 10 years may only have an expired certificate.
What does an EPC tell you?
The floor area is the most overlooked line. Two semis on the same street at £300,000 might be 80 and 64 square metres: £3,750 against about £4,690 per square metre for the same price.
| Section | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Energy rating | Current band (A–G) and the potential band if improvements are made |
| Total floor area | Divide the price by it to compare homes of different sizes |
| Features | Walls, roof, windows, heating and hot water, each rated very poor to very good |
| Recommendations | Upgrades in order, with typical installation cost and the band they would reach |
| Assessment date | An old certificate may not reflect recent work, or recent wear |
Worked example: what a D rating costs you
A 1960s semi is rated D (60) with a potential of C (74). The recommendations are cavity wall insulation, loft insulation to 270mm and a hot water cylinder thermostat, with typical costs on the certificate. If those total around £3,000 to £5,000, that is money you need on top of your deposit, stamp duty and fees, and a reason to negotiate if the asking price assumes a modernised home.
Treat the certificate's costs and savings as estimates: get quotes before you rely on them. A survey will also tell you whether insulation can be fitted safely.
What if you are buying to let?
Privately rented homes in England and Wales must currently be rated at least E. The government confirmed in January 2026 that all private tenancies will need to meet EPC C by 1 October 2030, with a spending cap of £10,000 per property.4 A home rated C or above on the current measure before 1 October 2029 counts as compliant until that certificate expires.
If you buy a D-rated flat to rent, budget for reaching C before 2030, and check the recommendations to see whether it can be done for less than the cap. The regulations themselves are still to be made, so check again before you rely on the dates.
How do you check the EPC against the house?
On the viewing, check the certificate against what you see: a combi boiler where the EPC says a cylinder, double glazing where it says single. A mismatch can mean recent improvements (good) or a certificate for the wrong property (ask). Ask the seller for the current energy bills alongside it.
Combine the EPC with the other free checks: the sold price history, flood risk, and whether the home is listed or in a conservation area, which can limit insulation and window upgrades.
Use the calculator for this topic
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to look up an EPC?+
Yes. The GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service is free for anyone, by postcode.
How long is an EPC valid?+
10 years from the date it was issued.
Does a seller have to provide an EPC?+
Yes. A home must have an EPC before it is marketed for sale or rent. The penalty for failing to provide one for a home is £200.
Do listed buildings need an EPC?+
Not always. Listed buildings can be exempt where meeting minimum energy standards would unacceptably alter their character, so check with the council and an assessor.
What EPC rating will landlords need?+
At least E now. The government has confirmed EPC C for all private tenancies by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap per property.
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OfficialThe figures and rules on this page are drawn from the official UK government sources below. Rates are the confirmed 2026/27 amounts. Each link opens the relevant official page in a new tab.
- GOV.UK: Find an energy certificate www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate Free search of the EPC register by postcode.
- GOV.UK: Energy Performance Certificates when buying or selling www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates Needed when a home is built, sold or rented; valid for 10 years.
- GOV.UK: A guide to EPCs for the marketing, sale and let of dwellings www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-performance-certificates-for-the-construction-sale-and-let-of-dwellings/a-guide-to-energy-performance-certificates-for-the-marketing-sale-and-let-of-dwellings £200 penalty per dwelling for failing to provide one.
- GOV.UK: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, government response (Jan 2026) www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-2025-update/outcome/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-government-response-html Privately rented homes to reach EPC C by 1 October 2030; £10,000 cost cap.
Verified against published UK government guidance. See also Methodology and Editorial standards.