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.

Is This Area Safe? Complete Guide to Checking Neighbourhood Safety

The Question Everyone Asks: "Is this area safe?" Whether you're buying, renting, or relocating, this guide shows you exactly how to assess any neighbourhood's safety.

The 5-Step Safety Check

Before committing to any property, run through these five essential checks:

Step 1: Check Official Crime Statistics

Start with hard data from our crime map tool or police.uk:

Total crimes in the past 12 months
Breakdown by crime type (burglary, violence, anti-social behaviour)
Trend direction (is crime increasing or decreasing?)
Comparison to the national average

Step 2: Visit at Different Times

A neighbourhood can feel completely different at various times:

Weekday morning: Is it a commuter area? School run traffic?
Weekday evening: Are people walking around? Street lighting?
Weekend night: Noise from pubs/bars? Groups hanging around?
Sunday morning: The quietest time - is it peaceful or deserted?

Step 3: Look for Physical Signs

Walk around and observe:

Good Signs:

Well-maintained gardens and properties
Neighbourhood Watch signs
People out walking, jogging, with children
Good street lighting
Clean streets, no litter or graffiti
Mix of cars and families visible

Warning Signs:

Broken windows or boarded-up properties
Graffiti and vandalism
Overflowing bins, litter, fly-tipping
Groups loitering during daytime
Bars on ground-floor windows
Multiple CCTV cameras on residential homes
Burned-out or abandoned vehicles

Step 4: Talk to Locals

The best intelligence comes from people who live there:

Chat to neighbours if you're viewing a property
Visit the local pub, cafe, or shop
Ask the estate agent direct questions about safety
Check local Facebook groups or Nextdoor
Look at Google reviews of local businesses

Step 5: Research Online

Beyond crime stats, look for:

Local news for the area (search "[area name] crime" or "[area name] news")
Reddit threads about the neighbourhood
Mumsnet discussions (great for family areas)
Reviews on StreetAdvisor or similar

Understanding Crime Hotspots

Certain locations naturally have higher crime rates:

Higher Risk Locations:

Near train/tube stations (theft, anti-social behaviour)
Near pubs and nightclubs (violence, public order)
Near shopping centres (shoplifting, vehicle crime)
On busy main roads vs quiet side streets
Near takeaways with late opening hours

This doesn't mean avoid all these areas - just be aware and check crime data specifically for that street.

Safe Areas to Consider

Statistically safer areas often share these characteristics:

Cul-de-sacs: Limited access reduces opportunistic crime
Established residential areas: Long-term residents look out for each other
Near good schools: Family-focused areas tend to be safer
Owner-occupied: Higher ownership rates correlate with lower crime
Active community groups: Neighbourhood Watch, residents' associations

City vs Suburbs vs Rural

City Centres

Higher absolute crime numbers but often concentrated in specific spots
More CCTV coverage and police presence
Street crime and theft more common
Burglary can be lower (apartments with security)

Suburbs

Generally lower crime rates overall
Burglary can be higher (easier access, more to steal)
Vehicle crime varies by parking situation
Less police presence means slower response times

Rural Areas

Lowest crime rates per capita
But: agricultural crime, isolation concerns
Longer police response times
Community vigilance often high

Safety for Specific Groups

Families with Children

Prioritise:

Safe routes to school (paths, crossings, lighting)
Parks and play areas nearby
Low traffic speeds on residential streets
Other families in the area

Single Women

Consider:

Well-lit routes from public transport
Secure entry to property (not shared access)
Visibility from street (not too secluded)
Active street life (people around)

Elderly Residents

Look for:

Low burglary rates (targeted by distraction burglars)
Helpful neighbours
Good access to shops without driving
Community support networks

Insurance as a Safety Indicator

Insurance companies analyse crime data extensively. Get quotes for:

Home contents insurance
Car insurance at the new address

Higher premiums indicate higher risk. This is a data-driven reality check on area safety.

When to Walk Away

Consider rejecting an otherwise perfect property if:

Burglary rate is significantly above average
You feel unsafe visiting at any time of day
Multiple current residents mention crime concerns
Insurance quotes are prohibitively high
Recent serious crimes in the immediate area
Your gut tells you something is wrong

Free Tools to Check Safety

Home Checkup Crime Map - Visual crime data by postcode
Property Search - Crime stats included with every property report
Police.uk - Official government crime data
Check My Street - Aggregated neighbourhood data