How to Check the EPC Rating of Any Property for Free

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy-efficient a property is. Every property in England and Wales that has been sold or let since 2008 is required to have one. The data is publicly available and free to access. This guide shows you how.

How to Check an EPC Rating

Method 1: Property Passport UK (Fastest)

Search any address or postcode at [propertypassport.uk/search](https://www.propertypassport.uk/search). Property Passport UK displays the current EPC band (A–G), the SAP score, the certificate date, and the full list of recommendations from the official EPC Register — alongside sold prices, and flood risk data.

Method 2: The Official EPC Register

The government’s official EPC database is at [find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk](https://find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk). Enter a postcode to see all certificates for properties in that area. You can download the full certificate as a PDF.

Method 3: EPC Open Data Communities

Technical users can access the full EPC dataset at [epc.opendatacommunities.org](https://epc.opendatacommunities.org). This is the raw data source used by Property Passport UK and other tools.

What an EPC Shows

An EPC includes:

• **Energy efficiency rating** — A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) on a coloured bar chart
• **Current rating vs potential rating** — what the rating could be if all recommended improvements were made
• **SAP score** — a numerical score from 1 to 100+ underpinning the band
• **Annual estimated energy costs** — approximate heating, hot water, and lighting costs
• **Recommendations** — specific improvements such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or a heat pump, with estimated cost and savings
• **Environmental impact rating** — CO2 emissions in tonnes per year

EPC Validity

An EPC is valid for 10 years. A property that was last sold or let in 2015 may have an EPC from 2015 that is still technically current but may not reflect subsequent improvements or deterioration.

If you are buying, check the EPC date and whether any improvements have been made since.

Why EPC Ratings Matter

For Buyers

• A low EPC rating (E, F, or G) means higher energy bills
• Properties below EPC E are already unlawful to let; properties below EPC C will be regulated from 2030 (proposed)
• A poor EPC is a negotiating point — upgrading from E to C typically costs £8,000–£15,000

For Tenants

Landlords are legally required to achieve at least EPC E before letting a property (with limited exemptions). From 2030, new tenancies are proposed to require EPC C. Check the EPC of any property you are considering renting.

For Sellers

A higher EPC rating makes a property more attractive to buyers concerned about energy bills. Improving your EPC before selling can increase your property’s value.

For Landlords

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require all let properties to have an EPC of at least E. Landlords must not renew or grant new tenancies where the EPC is F or G (with narrow exceptions). Properties below EPC C will require upgrading for new tenancies from 2030 under proposed rules.

EPC and Mortgage Rates

Some lenders offer ‘green’ mortgages with lower interest rates for energy-efficient properties. These typically require EPC A or B. As lenders increasingly price climate risk into mortgage products, EPC ratings are expected to have a greater impact on financing costs over the next decade.

Checking Multiple Properties

If you are searching a postcode for properties in a certain EPC band — for example, looking for investment properties with upgrade potential — use Property Passport UK’s postcode search to browse all properties in a postcode area alongside their current EPC ratings.