To find your EPC certificate in England, go to the government’s official EPC register. Enter your postcode, select your property from the list, and your certificate will appear if one exists. The process takes about 30 seconds and costs nothing. This guide explains what to do if your certificate is not there, when it expires, and when you need a new one.
Where EPC Certificates Are Stored
Every EPC certificate issued in England is lodged on the government’s Energy Performance of Buildings Register. This database is publicly accessible. Anyone can search for a certificate using a postcode or a report reference number.
If you ordered an EPC in the last ten years and your property is in England, your certificate should be on the register. Furthermore, if you are a landlord or seller, this is also where buyers and tenants will look to verify your rating before committing.
What to Do If You Cannot Find Your EPC Certificate
If your search returns no results, there are three likely reasons.
The certificate expired. EPC certificates are valid for ten years. If your certificate is more than ten years old, it will no longer appear on the register. In this case, you need a new assessment.
The certificate was never lodged. Before 2008, some assessors did not always lodge certificates correctly. If your EPC predates the current register, it may not appear even if it was valid at the time.
The property has never had an EPC. If the property has not been sold or let since 2008, it may never have had an assessment carried out. In this case, you need to commission a new one.
When Do You Need to Find Your EPC Certificate?
You need to find your EPC certificate and provide it in several common situations.
When selling a property, you must have a valid EPC in place before you market it. Failing to do this is a legal requirement under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations.
When letting a property, you must provide a valid EPC to prospective tenants before they sign a tenancy agreement. In addition, rental properties in England must currently achieve a minimum EPC rating of E. The government has proposed raising this to C for new tenancies, so landlords should check the current requirements with their local authority.
When applying for energy efficiency grants, schemes such as ECO4 and the Warm Homes Plan require a valid EPC to confirm your property’s current rating. Without one, you cannot access funding.
How Long Is an EPC Certificate Valid?
An EPC certificate is valid for ten years from the date of issue. After ten years, you need a new assessment if you are selling, letting, or applying for grants. However, you can commission a new EPC at any time if you want an updated rating, for example after carrying out insulation or heating improvements.
For guidance on EPC requirements for landlords and sellers, the government’s official guidance is available here.
What If Your Rating Is Lower Than You Expected?
If you find your EPC certificate and the rating is lower than you hoped, the certificate itself will list recommended improvements and their estimated impact on your rating. Common recommendations include loft insulation, wall insulation, and boiler upgrades.
Our sister site wallinsulation.co.uk covers wall insulation options and grants that can help you improve your EPC rating cost-effectively.
For a full EPC assessment or to book a new certificate, contact us today and we will arrange a qualified assessor for your property at a competitive price.
Book Your EPC Certificate Today
Whether you need to find an existing EPC certificate or commission a new one, we can help. Contact us today for fast turnaround, qualified assessors, and certificates lodged on the official register the same day.