How to Check If Your Property Has a Valid EPC

Use the official register

Open Find an energy certificate on GOV.UK. Follow its link for properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a separate service, so choose the register for the property's location rather than the owner's home address.

Our homepage's Check EPC section also links to the official residential and non-domestic searches. EPC Agent does not operate the government database, charge for access to it or reproduce a private copy of its records.

Find the correct property

Search using the postcode and select the exact address. Pay attention to house names, building numbers and flat identifiers. For a converted building, a certificate for the original house may not cover an individual flat now being sold or let.

If the address is not listed as you expect, try the service's other available search options or use a certificate reference if you already have one. A new-build plot address and the final postal address can differ. Ask the developer, previous owner or managing agent for the relevant record rather than choosing a neighbouring property.

What to check on the result

• The complete address and the accommodation the certificate describes.
• Whether it is a domestic or non-domestic certificate.
• The current certificate's validity and expiry information.
• The rating and the date of the assessment.
• The recommendations and assessor details where provided.

A rating without a matching address or validity date is not enough. Save the official certificate link so you and your agent can refer to the same record. If there is a newer certificate, use the current record rather than selecting an older result with a better score.

Commercial premises and mixed-use buildings

A shop with a flat above may involve different certificates. Check which part of the building is being sold or let and how it is separately used. For a building divided into several units, do not assume one search result covers every lease.

The residential versus commercial guide explains why use and assessment scope matter. If the register result is unclear, give the assessor a plan or description of the accommodation rather than requesting a certificate type solely from the street address.

If no certificate appears

No search result does not, by itself, prove that a property is exempt or that an owner has broken the rules. First check the address and whether another party holds the certificate reference. If a certificate is required and there is no valid one, arrange the appropriate assessment.

For a possible exemption, establish the actual legal basis and keep evidence. The register is a useful record search, not a tool that decides every exemption or tenancy question. See EPC exemptions explained for the distinction.

If the certificate looks wrong

Contact the assessor identified on the certificate with a clear description of the issue and supporting evidence. For example, identify the relevant heating system or installation record rather than asking for a preferred rating. The assessor's accreditation scheme provides a further route if a complaint cannot be resolved.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to download my existing EPC?

The official service allows you to view existing certificates free of charge. A fee for a new assessment is separate.

Can I search for a property before buying it?

You can use the official service to check available records. The seller also has duties to provide the EPC when required.

Does a valid certificate mean a property can legally be rented?

Not necessarily. Its rating and the relevant minimum-standard rules must also be considered, alongside other letting requirements.

What if I need a new local assessment?

Read about EPC services in Birmingham or send an enquiry with the full address and property details.