Compliance guide · 7 min read
EPC checker: find a certificate, rating and expiry date
An EPC check should answer four things quickly: whether a certificate exists, when it expires, the current and potential ratings, and which improvements the assessor recorded. Here is how to use those facts without confusing a certificate with a survey.
Last verified 10 September 2026 against the official publications listed below.
On this page
How do I check an EPC?
Search the official register using the postcode, choose the exact address, then check the certificate's valid-until date, present rating, potential rating and recommendations. England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the GOV.UK service; Scotland has a separate register.
Start with the property address, see what is already known, and book an accredited assessment when a new certificate is needed.
Check or book an EPC →What an EPC certificate tells you
- The property's current energy-efficiency band and score
- The rating the property could reach after the listed improvements
- Assessed features such as walls, roof, windows, heating, hot water and lighting
- Recommended measures, shown in the order recorded by the assessor
- The certificate date, expiry date and assessor accreditation details
How long is an EPC valid?
A certificate is normally valid for 10 years. GOV.UK says sellers and landlords must have an EPC before marketing a property, subject to the rules and exemptions that apply. A newer assessment can replace an older certificate before its expiry.
First
Search the register
Confirm whether the exact address already has a valid certificate.
Then
Review the evidence
Check the date, rating and each recorded property feature.
If needed
Book an assessment
Use an accredited assessor when no valid certificate exists or a fresh rating is required.
How to read the rating and recommendations
| Part | What it means | Useful next question |
|---|---|---|
| Current rating | The assessed performance at the certificate date | Has the property changed since then? |
| Potential rating | A modelled result if recommendations are installed | Are the measures suitable and affordable? |
| Feature rating | The assessor's view of an element | Was access limited or an assumption used? |
| Recommendation | A possible energy improvement | Should an installer or specialist verify it first? |
What to do when the EPC is missing or inaccurate
- Recheck the postcode and exact address formatting.
- Ask the owner or agent whether the address was recorded differently.
- If the property needs a certificate, use an accredited domestic energy assessor.
- If an existing certificate appears wrong, contact the assessor shown on it and use the register's complaints route where appropriate.
In summary
- Search by exact address, not just postcode.
- Check the certificate date as well as its rating.
- Treat potential ratings as modelled outcomes, not guarantees.
- Use an accredited assessor when a new EPC is required.
People also ask
Can I check an EPC for free?
Yes. The official register lets you search for and view a certificate without paying.
Do I need an EPC to sell or rent a home?
GOV.UK says you must order an EPC before marketing a property for sale or rent, unless a valid exemption applies.
Is an EPC the same as a survey?
No. It concerns energy performance and does not replace a condition survey or specialist inspection.
Why might an address have more than one EPC?
A property can be reassessed before an older certificate expires. Compare the dates and use the newest relevant certificate.
Now calculate it
Use the mypropclear EPC service to identify the exact property, understand the certificate and arrange an assessment.
Check my property and book →Official sources
Every figure in this guide is transcribed from these published pages. Always confirm against the source before filing or signing anything.
- Find an energy certificate — GOV.UK
- Energy Performance Certificates when selling — GOV.UK
- EPC guidance for selling and letting dwellings — GOV.UK
Guidance only. mypropclear explains published rules and how they apply to figures you provide — it is not personalised tax or legal advice.
Common questions people asked after reading
Can I check an EPC for free?
Yes. The official register lets you search for and view a certificate without paying.
Do I need an EPC to sell or rent a home?
GOV.UK says you must order an EPC before marketing a property for sale or rent, unless a valid exemption applies.
Is an EPC the same as a survey?
No. It concerns energy performance and does not replace a condition survey or specialist inspection.
Why might an address have more than one EPC?
A property can be reassessed before an older certificate expires. Compare the dates and use the newest relevant certificate.
