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.

What to Check When Viewing a Property: Complete Checklist

Essential Research: Before viewing, check the property's EPC rating, crime statistics, school catchments, and broadband speeds. These factors affect running costs, safety, and resale value. 70% of buyers miss at least 3 critical checks.

Pre-Viewing Research (Do This First!)

Smart property buyers research BEFORE viewing. This saves time and helps you ask the right questions during the viewing.

1. Check the Property's Complete Report

Search the property address to instantly see:

EPC rating: Running costs and improvement needs
Crime statistics: Safety levels vs local area
School information: Catchment areas and Ofsted ratings
Broadband speeds: Available providers and max speeds
Sale history: Previous prices and price trends
Nearby amenities: Shops, transport, healthcare

2. Energy Performance (Critical!)

Why EPC Matters:

Running costs: F-rated costs £1,500/year more than C-rated
Legal requirement: Rentals must be C+ from April 2026
Resale value: Poor EPC reduces value by 5-10%
Comfort: Low ratings = cold, damp homes
Upgrade costs: Budget £5,000-£12,000 to reach rating C

Red flags: F or G rating, single glazing, no loft insulation, boiler over 15 years old.

Good signs: C or above rating, modern boiler, double glazing, cavity wall insulation.

3. Crime Statistics

Check local crime rates before viewing. High crime affects:

Safety: Your family's wellbeing
Insurance: Higher premiums in high-crime areas
Resale: Properties in high-crime areas harder to sell
Rental yield: Affects rental demand

What to check:

Crime rate vs local authority average
Types of crime (violent vs property crime)
Trends (improving or worsening)
Specific hotspots near the property

Our property search tool shows real-time crime statistics from police.uk for every property.

4. Schools and Catchment Areas

Even without children, school quality affects property values:

Outstanding schools: Properties worth 7-10% more
Catchment boundaries: 50m outside catchment = 5% less value
Rental demand: Family tenants prioritize schools
Resale: Good schools = faster sales

Check:

Primary school catchments and Ofsted ratings
Secondary school options
Distance to schools (walking vs driving)
School places availability

5. Broadband Speed

Critical for working from home and property value:

Under 10 Mbps: Unusable for modern needs
10-30 Mbps: Basic use only
30-100 Mbps: Good for most households
100+ Mbps: Excellent, adds value
Gigabit (1000 Mbps): Premium, future-proof

Properties without decent broadband are 3-5% harder to sell and command lower rents.

During the Viewing: Room-by-Room Checks

Exterior Checks

Roof: Missing/slipped tiles, sagging (£5,000-£15,000 repair)
Gutters: Leaks, overflowing, damage
Walls: Cracks (structural if wider than 5mm), damp patches
Windows: Single vs double glazed, rot in frames
Doors: Secure? Weather-sealed?
Drainage: Working drains, no blockages
Garden: Boundaries clear, drainage issues

Interior - Every Room

Damp/mold: Sniff test, check corners/windows (£500-£3,000 fix)
Cracks: Ceiling/wall cracks (structural settlement?)
Windows: Open/close smoothly? Condensation between panes?
Floors: Bounce test (structural issues), uneven (£2,000-£8,000)
Electrical: Enough sockets? Old wiring? (£3,000-£6,000 rewire)
Heating: Radiators warm? Even heating?

Kitchen

Appliances: Working? Age? Included in sale?
Plumbing: Leaks under sink? Water pressure?
Ventilation: Extractor fan working?
Electrics: Enough sockets? RCD protection?

Bathrooms

Water pressure: Turn on taps, flush toilet
Drainage: Slow drains? (£100-£500)
Leaks: Under basin, around toilet, shower seal
Mold: Silicone sealant, ceiling (ventilation issues)
Hot water: How long does it take? Enough for household?

Heating System

Boiler age: Over 15 years = replace soon (£2,000-£3,500)
Boiler type: Combi, system, or regular?
Service history: Annual services done?
Radiators: All heat evenly? Cold spots?
Controls: Programmable thermostat? Room thermostats?

Loft/Roof Space

Insulation: How thick? (Should be 270mm minimum)
Water tanks: Lagged? Condition?
Roof structure: Sagging? Rot? Daylight visible?
Damp/mold: Condensation issues?

Questions to Ask the Owner/Agent

Property History

How long have you lived here?
Why are you selling? (Be wary of evasive answers)
Have you made any improvements? (Certificates available?)
Any structural work done? (Building regs approval?)
Any disputes with neighbors?
Any planning applications nearby?

Running Costs

What are your energy bills? (Monthly average)
Council tax band?
Water bills? (Metered or unmetered)
Service charges? (Flats/leasehold)
Ground rent? (Leasehold)

Building & Maintenance

When was the boiler last serviced?
Age of boiler, roof, windows?
Any damp/condensation issues?
Electrical certificate? (Required every 10 years for rentals)
Gas safety certificate?
Any guarantees/warranties transferable?

Red Flags - Walk Away If You See:

Serious Issues:

Subsidence cracks: Wide cracks (>5mm), diagonal, above doors/windows
Damp smell: Throughout property (structural damp = £10,000+)
Flat roof: Over 15 years old (£2,000-£5,000 replacement)
Knob & tube wiring: Pre-1960s (rewire £3,000-£6,000)
Polybutylene pipes: Grey pipes (£2,000-£5,000 replacement)
Japanese knotweed: In garden (£5,000-£30,000 treatment)
Structural movement: Sloping floors, doors won't close

Second Viewing Checklist

If you're serious, book a second viewing to check:

Different time of day: Check natural light, noise levels
Bring a surveyor: Professional assessment
Measure rooms: Will your furniture fit?
Check storage: Enough for your needs?
Test everything: Taps, windows, doors, appliances
Visit the street: Parking, neighbors, noise

Neighborhood Checks

Visit at different times: Evening, weekend, weekday
Talk to neighbors: Ask about the area
Check local amenities: Shops, pubs, gyms within walking distance?
Public transport: Frequency, routes, reliability
Parking: On street? Restrictions? Resident permits?
Future development: Check local planning applications

Post-Viewing: Due Diligence

Professional Surveys

Condition Report: £250-£350 (basic, new-builds)
Homebuyer's Report: £400-£900 (most properties)
Full Structural Survey: £600-£1,500 (older/unusual properties)

Legal Checks

Local authority searches: Planning, building regs, drainage
Environmental searches: Flood risk, contaminated land
Chancel repair liability: Medieval church repair costs
Lease details: (Leasehold) remaining term, service charges

Use Our Free Property Intelligence Tool

Search any UK property to get instant access to:

EPC rating & energy costs: Know running costs before you buy
Crime statistics: Safety data from police.uk
School catchments: Ofsted ratings and distances
Broadband speeds: All providers and max speeds
Sale history: Previous prices and market trends
Nearby properties: Compare similar homes

💡 Pro Tip

Do your research BEFORE viewing. This helps you spot problems quickly and ask intelligent questions. 90% of buyers who research properties beforehand report feeling more confident in their purchase decision and 60% save money by negotiating on known issues.

Buying a property is the biggest purchase most people make. Taking time to check thoroughly can save tens of thousands in unexpected repairs, running costs, and resale value. Check every property you view on our database first - it's free and takes 30 seconds.

🏡 Get Professional Property Assessments

Before you buy, get professional certificates to verify energy efficiency, electrical safety, and gas safety. Protect your investment.

Book EPC Certificate → Electrical Safety (EICR) → Gas Safety Check →