Finding your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) should be simple, but in practice many homeowners and landlords aren’t sure where to look or whether their certificate is still valid.
This guide walks you through every way to find, check and download your EPC online – plus what to do if you can’t locate one at all.
- Find your EPC by postcode, address or certificate number
- Check whether your EPC is still valid (or has expired)
- Download a free digital copy of your certificate
- Understand what your rating means and what to do next
If you already know your postcode and want to see your rating straight away, you can start on our home page and use the free EPC checker. Otherwise, follow the steps below.
What is an EPC and why you need one
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy efficient a property is, rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also shows:
- The property’s current rating and potential rating
- Estimated energy costs for heating, hot water and lighting
- Recommended improvements and their impact on your rating
You typically need a valid EPC when:
- Selling your home
- Letting out a property (landlords)
- Applying for some green grants or schemes
For a deeper explainer, see our landlord-focused overview: What is an EPC? A Complete Guide for Landlords.
In England and Wales, EPCs are valid for 10 years. If yours has expired, you’ll need a new assessment – we cover this in more detail in Is My EPC Still Valid?.
Method 1: Find your EPC by postcode (fastest)
The easiest way to find an EPC is by searching by postcode and then choosing your property from a list of addresses.
- Go to the EPC Advisor home page.
- Enter your postcode into the search box.
- Choose your full address from the dropdown list.
- View your property’s EPC rating, band and key details.
From there, you’ll be able to:
- Confirm whether an EPC already exists
- See the current band and potential band
- View the recommendations that would improve your rating
If you prefer to use the official government register, you can also search by postcode there. However, EPC Advisor layers on personalised insights and upgrade suggestions, which the official register does not provide.
Method 2: Search by address
If you don’t have the exact postcode to hand, you can usually still find your EPC by address:
- Start on our EPC checker.
- Type your street name and town into the search field.
- Refine the results by adding the house number or flat number.
- Select your property from the matches shown.
If your address doesn’t appear:
- Check that the spelling and formatting match how your address appears on bills or council tax letters.
- Try searching with just the postcode and a shorter address line.
- If the property is very new, it may not yet be in national EPC data – in this case you’ll likely need a fresh assessment.
If you see multiple EPCs for the same address, the most recent one is the one that counts. Our property view will highlight the latest certificate automatically.
Method 3: Search by EPC certificate number
Every EPC has a unique certificate number (also known as an LMK number). You’ll find it:
- At the top of a printed EPC
- On the first page of the PDF certificate
- Sometimes in your conveyancing or letting paperwork
On EPC Advisor, power users like agents and portfolio landlords can:
- Go to the home page.
- Click the link for users who have an EPC certificate number.
- Enter the full number carefully (letters and numbers).
- We’ll match it to the correct property and show the report.
If you aren’t sure where to locate this number, our landlord explainer What is an EPC Certificate Number and Where to Find It (coming soon) will walk you through the different formats and examples.
How to download your EPC as a PDF
Once you’ve found your EPC, downloading a copy is straightforward:
- Open your property’s EPC page on EPC Advisor.
- Use the “Download certificate” link (if available) or follow the link to the official register.
- On the government site, choose “Download certificate” to get a PDF version.
- Save it to your files or forward it to your solicitor, letting agent or mortgage broker.
It’s a good idea to keep your EPC:
- Saved as a PDF in your property records
- Printed and stored with deeds or tenancy documents
- Easy to email when requested during a sale or remortgage
What if I can’t find my EPC?
There are a few reasons your EPC might not show up:
- The property has never had an EPC (common for long-term owners).
- The EPC has expired and the certificate has been removed from some search results.
- The address has changed (e.g. new build, subdivision, or renumbering).
- The EPC exists in the Scottish register (different system to England & Wales).
If you can’t find a valid certificate and you’re planning to sell or let the property, you’ll need a new EPC assessment.
Getting a new EPC
To get a new EPC:
- Search online for a domestic energy assessor in your area, or use a comparison site.
- Expect to pay somewhere in the region of £60–£120 depending on property size and location.
- The assessor will visit, take measurements and check insulation, heating, windows and lighting.
- Your new EPC is usually uploaded within a few days and valid for 10 years.
Once you have the new certificate, you can come back to EPC Advisor, search by postcode, and see actionable recommendations based on your fresh data.
For more on expiry rules and when you do (and don’t) need a new EPC, read Is My EPC Still Valid? How to Check Your Certificate Expiry.
Understanding your EPC once you’ve found it
Finding the certificate is only the first step. The real value comes from understanding what your rating means and what to do next.
When you open your EPC on EPC Advisor, you’ll see:
- Your current band (A–G) and potential band
- A breakdown of estimated annual energy costs
- A list of recommended improvements, ordered by impact
- How your property compares to others in your local area
From here you can:
- Explore 27 proven ways to improve your EPC in our main guide: How to Improve Your EPC Rating.
- Dive into cheap upgrades in Cheapest Ways to Improve Your EPC Rating.
- Read about band-to-band improvements like How to Improve EPC from D to C.
If your EPC flags your boiler, heating system, insulation or renewables as weak points, we also have deeper guides:
- New Boiler Cost UK (2025 Guide)
- Does a New Boiler Improve Your EPC Rating?
- Loft Insulation and EPC Rating
- Solar Panels and EPC Rating
When you do (and don’t) need an EPC
You must have a valid EPC when:
- Marketing a property for sale
- Advertising a property for rent (most residential lets)
- Completing certain renovation or grant applications
You don’t normally need an EPC if:
- You’re not selling or renting the property and not applying for schemes
- The property is a listed building where improvements would unacceptably alter its character
- The building is used less than four months a year or is officially classed as a place of worship or agricultural building
Landlords should also be aware of the minimum EPC requirements for rental properties and potential future changes. See EPC Rules for Landlords 2025–2030 and EPC Exemptions for Landlords Explained.
FAQs
Is it free to check my EPC online?
Yes. Checking your EPC rating using our free EPC checker or the official government register is free. You’ll only pay if you need a new assessment carried out by an accredited assessor.
How long is an EPC valid for?
In England and Wales, EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of assessment. If your EPC is older than this, you’ll need a new one before you can legally sell or let the property. We cover this in more depth in Is My EPC Still Valid?.
Can I check an EPC without the owner’s permission?
Yes. EPCs for most residential properties are publicly accessible. You can search by address or postcode and view the certificate without needing to log in, although some data (like detailed floor plans) may be restricted.
Does every property have an EPC?
Most properties that have been sold or let in the last decade will have an EPC, but not all. Long-term owner-occupied homes, very old properties and some exempt buildings may never have had an assessment. If you can’t find an EPC and need one, you’ll have to book a new survey.
What should I do after I’ve found my EPC?
Use it as a starting point:
- Check whether you’re above or below the typical rating in your area.
- Review the recommended improvements and their estimated cost/savings.
- Use our 27 Ways to Improve Your EPC Rating guide to prioritise upgrades.
- If you’re a landlord, make sure you meet current and upcoming rules in EPC Requirements for Landlords 2025–2030.
When you’re ready, head back to the home page to look up your property and see personalised recommendations based on your EPC data.