To check the EPC rating of a property in England or Wales, go to epcregister.com and search by postcode or address. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and no account is needed. Every EPC issued since October 2008 is on the register.
This guide walks you through the process, explains what you'll see in the results, and covers what to do if your property doesn't have a valid EPC.
Step-by-Step: How to Find Your EPC
Step 1 — Go to the Official Register
For England and Wales: epcregister.com
For Scotland: scottishepcregister.org.uk
Both are government-backed registers. Third-party EPC lookup sites exist, but they pull from the same data — the official register is always the most up to date.
Step 2 — Search by Postcode or Address
Enter the postcode of the property. The register will show all properties at that postcode with an EPC on file. Select the address to view the certificate.
You can also search by:
- Full property address
- Report Reference Number (RRN) — the unique 24-digit number printed on any EPC certificate
If you have the physical certificate, the RRN is the fastest way to pull up the exact record.
Step 3 — Read Your Results
Once you've found the property, the register shows:
| What You'll See | What It Means | |---|---| | EPC Band (A–G) | Current energy efficiency rating | | SAP Score | The numerical score behind the band (1–100) | | Expiry Date | Certificate valid for 10 years from issue | | Potential Band | The rating achievable if all recommended improvements were made | | Recommended Improvements | Specific measures + estimated SAP points each would add |
What Your EPC Results Show
The headline band (A–G) is what most people focus on, but the full report is more useful for landlords:
Current vs Potential rating. If your current band is D but the potential is B, the assessor has identified specific improvements worth making. The recommended improvements list tells you exactly what those are and in what order.
SAP score. The exact number matters when you're close to a band boundary. An EPC D at 68 SAP points is one measure away from a C (69+). An EPC D at 56 is a longer road.
Expiry date. EPCs are valid for 10 years. If your certificate was issued in 2015, it expires in 2025. You cannot legally market a rental property with an expired EPC — you must commission a new assessment before re-letting.
If Your Property Doesn't Have an EPC (Or It's Expired)
If a search returns no results for your property, it either:
- Was never assessed (possible for properties built pre-2008 that haven't been sold or let recently)
- Has an expired certificate that's no longer searchable
- Has a new build exemption (though most new builds do have EPCs)
In any of these cases, you need a new assessment before you can legally rent out the property. Book a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) — they'll survey the property and lodge the new certificate on the register, typically within 24 hours of the assessment.
For guidance on choosing the right assessor, see our guide to finding a qualified EPC assessor.
Checking EPCs in Scotland
Scotland uses a separate EPC register: scottishepcregister.org.uk. The search process is the same — enter postcode or address.
Note: Scotland introduced updated EPC ratings in 2026 using the Heat Retention Rating (HRR) system — slightly different from England's SAP-based methodology. If you're a Scottish landlord, the band on your certificate relates to HRR criteria.
Scotland also has different (and currently more relaxed) MEES rules than England. There is currently no minimum EPC rating required for Scottish private rentals, though regulations requiring HRR Band C are proposed from 2028 for new tenancies. See our Scottish landlord EPC guide for the full picture.
What Landlords Must Know About EPC Requirements
Under England's MEES regulations, you must:
- Have a valid EPC for any rental property
- Achieve a minimum EPC rating of E to let the property (current requirement)
- Achieve EPC C by October 2030 under the proposed new rules
You cannot let a property — or even market it for let — without a valid EPC. The certificate must be given to prospective tenants at the start of the tenancy.
Fines for non-compliance currently run up to £5,000 per property. From 2030, penalties are expected to increase significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to check an EPC? Yes. The EPC register is completely free to search. You don't need to create an account or provide any personal information.
Can I see anyone's EPC, not just my own? Yes. The register is public. You can look up any property in England, Wales, or Scotland. This is useful when doing due diligence on a property you're considering purchasing.
My property has an EPC but it doesn't show on the register. Why? If the certificate was issued before 2008, it won't be on the register. EPCs issued after October 2008 should all be searchable. If yours isn't appearing, contact the assessor who issued it — they may not have lodged it correctly.
What's the difference between EPC band and SAP score? The band (A–G) is a simplified label. The SAP score is the precise number (1–100) behind it. Band C covers SAP 69–80; Band D is 55–68. Knowing your SAP score matters when you're close to a band boundary — a property at SAP 67 needs only 2 more points to reach C.
How do I check multiple properties across my portfolio? The register searches one postcode at a time. For a bulk view — including the % of properties below EPC C in any area — use our free EPC postcode lookup tool. It shows the rating distribution across every property in a postcode, which is useful for portfolio planning and comparing areas.