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EPC rating check UK

EPC rating check: how to check EPC rating in the UK

For an EPC rating check in the UK, use the official register first. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, search by postcode, street name and town, or certificate number. In Scotland, use the Scottish EPC register.

An EPC is normally valid for 10 years, but if the property has changed a lot since it was issued, the old record may no longer be a useful guide. Use the main Energy Performance Certificate guide if you want the broader explanation as well. · 3 min read

Check EPC on GOV.UK Scottish EPC register
Official route

How to check EPC rating in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Search options

You can search by postcode, street name and town, or certificate number. That is usually the fastest way to check EPC rating on an existing property.

What you will find

The service lets you see the current EPC, recommendation report, and whether the property already has a lodged certificate on the register.

Scotland

How to check an EPC in Scotland

Different register

Scotland uses a separate route. The Scottish Government says you can check whether a building has an EPC on the Scottish EPC Register.

Search options

You can search the Scottish register by postcode or by the EPC report reference number.

Assessor route

If the record is missing or out of date, the Scottish Government says the next step is to get an EPC assessor through the Scottish EPC register route.

Validity

How to tell if the EPC is still valid

Ten-year rule

For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GOV.UK says an EPC is normally valid for 10 years. The Scottish Government says the same for Scotland.

Practical check

Look at the issue date, then ask whether the property has changed since then. New windows, added insulation, heating-system changes, or extensions can make the older record less useful.

If it is missing

If no certificate is lodged or the old one has expired, the next step is a new EPC assessment from an accredited assessor. The official register pages point you to that route.

Energy Performance Certificate guide EPC evidence checklist How to improve EPC rating Heat loss vs EPC

Sources checked on 18 April 2026: GOV.UK find an energy certificate, GOV.UK Energy Performance Certificates, gov.scot how to get an EPC, and gov.scot EPC guide.

Installer route

After the EPC check, move the job into the right survey route

For installer teams, an EPC check is usually the first filter. Once the rating is known, the live question is what evidence the job needs before anyone quotes, designs, or books an install too far ahead.

Heating work

Heat pump survey company

Use this route when the EPC check points towards low-carbon heating work and the team needs site notes before design or quote review.

Room-by-room evidence

Heat loss survey company

Use the heat loss route when the job needs clearer room data, fabric notes, emitter context, and a report that the next person can follow.

Solar evidence

Solar panel survey company

Use the solar route when the EPC is part of a wider PV conversation and the installer needs photos, access notes, roof context, and clear site evidence.

Renewable energy survey company Sample report Get pricing
FAQs

Questions people ask about checking an EPC

Use the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service to check EPC rating in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Use the Scottish EPC Register to check whether a building has an EPC in Scotland.

An EPC is normally valid for 10 years, although the older record may no longer be a useful guide if the property has changed materially since it was issued.

If no certificate is lodged or the old one has expired, the next step is a new EPC assessment from an accredited assessor using the official register route.