What is an EPC certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an official document that shows how energy-efficient a property is. It includes ratings from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and recommendations for improving energy efficiency. EPCs are required when selling or renting properties in the UK.

How do I find my property's EPC rating?

You can find your property's EPC rating by searching for your address on Home Checkup. Simply enter your postcode or full address in the search box. We have EPC data for over 20 million UK properties from the official government register.

Is Home Checkup free to use?

Yes, Home Checkup is completely free to use. We provide comprehensive property information including EPC ratings, broadband speeds, school information, crime statistics, and sales history at no cost.

How often is the property data updated?

Our property data comes from official UK government sources and is updated regularly. EPC data is sourced from the official EPC register, broadband data from Ofcom, school information from Ofsted, and crime statistics from police.uk. Most data is refreshed monthly to quarterly depending on the source.

What information can I find about a property?

For each property, you can find: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings and detailed energy efficiency data, broadband availability and speeds, nearby schools with Ofsted ratings, local crime statistics, property sales history, and comprehensive property characteristics like construction type, heating system, and floor area.

How to Check Crime Rates Before Buying a Property (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaway: Always check crime statistics before buying. Areas can vary dramatically street-by-street. Use police.uk data and our free crime map tool to make informed decisions.

Why Crime Rates Matter When Buying

Crime statistics are one of the most overlooked factors when buying a property, yet they directly impact:

Insurance costs: High-crime areas can mean 20-50% higher home insurance premiums
Property value: Properties in low-crime areas appreciate faster
Quality of life: Peace of mind and feeling safe in your neighbourhood
Resale value: Future buyers will check crime rates too

Use our free UK Crime Map to check crime statistics for any postcode or address instantly.

How to Check Crime Statistics

1. Use Police.uk Data

The official source for UK crime data is police.uk. This government website provides:

Street-level crime data updated monthly
Crime maps showing incidents by location
Trends over time (increasing or decreasing)
Breakdown by crime type

2. Use Home Checkup's Crime Map

Our interactive crime map tool pulls official police.uk data and presents it in an easy-to-understand format. Simply enter a postcode to see:

Total crimes in the area (last 12 months)
Breakdown by category (burglary, vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour, etc.)
Comparison to similar areas
Visual heatmap of crime hotspots

3. Check Property-Specific Data

When you search for a property on Home Checkup, we automatically show crime statistics for that specific location, so you can see exactly what's happening near your potential new home.

Understanding Crime Categories

High Concern Crimes:

Burglary: Break-ins to homes - a key indicator of area safety
Robbery: Theft with violence or threat of violence
Violence and Sexual Offences: Serious crimes against people
Vehicle Crime: Theft of/from vehicles - common in urban areas

Medium Concern:

Anti-social Behaviour: Nuisance, noise, vandalism - affects quality of life
Criminal Damage: Vandalism and property damage
Public Order: Fights, drunken behaviour

Context Dependent:

Shoplifting: High near retail areas - not always a residential concern
Drugs: Can indicate deeper issues or just enforcement activity
Other Theft: Broad category, context matters

What's a "Safe" Crime Rate?

Crime rates vary significantly across the UK. Here's a general guide:

Low crime: Under 50 crimes per 1,000 residents per year
Average: 50-80 crimes per 1,000 residents per year
Above average: 80-120 crimes per 1,000 residents per year
High crime: Over 120 crimes per 1,000 residents per year

Important: These are rough guidelines. Urban areas naturally have higher crime rates than rural areas. Compare like with like - a city neighbourhood to other city neighbourhoods, not to villages.

Red Flags to Watch For

High burglary rates: More than 10 burglaries per 1,000 households is concerning
Increasing trend: Crime going up year-on-year is a warning sign
Violent crime clusters: Multiple violent incidents in a small area
Vehicle crime hotspots: Check if you'll need to park on the street
Anti-social behaviour patterns: Persistent issues suggest ongoing problems

Street-by-Street Variation

Crime can vary dramatically within the same postcode. A property on a quiet cul-de-sac might be much safer than one on a busy main road just 200 metres away. Always:

Check the specific street, not just the area
Visit at different times of day (and evening)
Talk to potential neighbours
Look for signs of security (CCTV, neighbourhood watch)

Beyond Crime Statistics

Crime data tells part of the story. Also consider:

Lighting: Are streets well-lit at night?
Property upkeep: Well-maintained homes suggest residents care
Community presence: Are people out and about?
Local pubs/bars: Proximity to nightlife can mean noise and anti-social behaviour
Schools: Family areas tend to be safer

How Crime Affects Insurance

Insurers use crime data to calculate premiums. Expect to pay more in high-crime areas:

Contents insurance: Can double in high-burglary areas
Buildings insurance: Also affected, but less dramatically
Car insurance: Vehicle crime directly impacts premiums

Get insurance quotes before you buy to understand the true cost of living in an area.

Check Crime Before You View

Don't waste time viewing properties in areas you're not comfortable with. Before booking any viewing:

Search the property on Home Checkup for full details including crime stats
Check the crime map for the wider area
Compare to other areas you're considering
Factor potential insurance costs into your budget