Trying to find your EPC certificate can quickly turn into a frustrating job.
You may be preparing to sell, getting a rental property ready for a new tenant, sorting paperwork for a commercial lease or simply checking how your property is rated. Then you realise you do not know where the certificate is, how old it is or if it is still valid.
The good news is that you can usually find an existing Energy Performance Certificate online in a few minutes.
And if you need a new one, AVT UK provides domestic and commercial EPC assessments to help keep your sale, tenancy, lease or handover moving.
First, here is how to check whether an existing EPC is already available for your property.
Where Can I Find My EPC Certificate?
To find an EPC certificate for a property in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, start with the official GOV.UK Find an Energy Certificate service.
This allows you to search for existing certificates for homes, business premises and public buildings. You can search using the property address and postcode, then download a copy of the certificate free of charge.
If the property is in Scotland, you will need to use the Scottish EPC Register instead, as it has a separate system.
When you find your EPC, you will be able to see the property’s energy rating, the date it was issued and the date it expires.
What Information Do I Need to Find My EPC Certificate?
To find your EPC certificate, you will usually need:
- The full property address
- The postcode
- The flat or unit number, where relevant
Try searching the address exactly as it would appear on official property records. This is especially important for flats, converted buildings, commercial units and newly built properties.
For example, a certificate may be listed under “Flat 2”, “Apartment 2” or a building name rather than the wording you normally use in day-to-day correspondence.
If your first search does not bring anything up, try a slightly different version of the address before assuming there is no certificate.
How Do I View My EPC Certificate Once I Find It?
When you view your EPC certificate, you will see more than just the A to G rating.
The certificate should show:
- The current energy efficiency rating
- The potential rating after recommended improvements
- Estimated energy costs
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- Suggested energy-saving measures
This gives you a useful starting point for understanding how the property is expected to perform.
A lower rating does not automatically tell you exactly why a building feels cold, has draughts or suffers from condensation. It does, though, highlight where further investigation or improvement work may be worth considering.
Why Can’t I Find My EPC?
There are a few common reasons why you may struggle to find your EPC details online.
- The address may be recorded differently on the register.
- The property may be a newer build that has not yet had its final EPC lodged.
- The existing certificate may have expired.
- The property may never have had an EPC produced.
- You may be searching the wrong register, particularly if the property is in Scotland.
If you have tried different address formats and still cannot find an energy performance certificate, it may be time to arrange a new assessment.
This is particularly important if you are about to sell, let or complete work on a property. Leaving it until the last minute can create unnecessary delays when buyers, tenants, estate agents, solicitors or managing agents are waiting for paperwork.
How Long Is My EPC Valid For?
An EPC certificate is normally valid for ten years.
You do not need to get a new EPC every time the property is sold or let during that period, as long as the existing certificate is still valid.
Once it has expired, you will usually need a new EPC before selling or letting the property again.
It is always worth checking the expiry date rather than relying on when you think the assessment was carried out. Plenty of property owners find their EPC has quietly run out years ago, usually at the point they need it most.
When Do I Need To Get My EPC Updated?
You’ll need to get your EPC updated if your current certificate has expired and you are selling, renting out or completing a property.
You may also choose to arrange a new EPC before the ten-year expiry date after making improvements, such as:
- Installing better insulation
- Replacing old windows or doors
- Upgrading the heating system
- Adding solar panels or other renewable technology
- Improving heating controls
- Completing wider retrofit work
You are not automatically required to replace a valid certificate just because you have made improvements. However, an updated EPC may better reflect the work you have done and give you a clearer picture of the property’s current energy performance.
That can be especially useful before putting a home on the market, advertising a rental property or planning your next investment in a commercial building.
When Do I Need an EPC Assessor?
Finding an existing certificate is useful when you simply need to check the current rating, download a copy or confirm the expiry date.
You need an EPC assessor when there is no valid certificate, the existing EPC has expired or you want the rating to reflect improvements made since the last assessment.
An EPC assessor will visit the property, collect the information needed for the assessment and produce a new certificate.
This applies to homes, rental properties, offices, retail units, warehouses, industrial buildings and other business premises.
Do I Need A Domestic Energy Assessor or A Commercial EPC Assessment?
A domestic energy assessor is needed for homes and residential rental properties.
That includes houses, flats, apartments and other domestic dwellings. If you are selling a home, preparing a buy-to-let property for a new tenant or checking the current rating before making upgrades, you will need a domestic EPC assessment.
A commercial EPC is for non-domestic premises, such as:
- Offices
- Shops and retail units
- Warehouses
- Industrial buildings
- Hospitality venues
- Mixed-use buildings
- Business premises being sold or let
Commercial property can be more complex, so it is important to arrange the right type of assessment from the start.
AVT UK provides both domestic and commercial EPC assessments, helping you get the correct certificate for the property you are dealing with.
How Much Does a New EPC Certificate Cost?
EPC certificate cost can vary depending on the type, size and complexity of the property.
A small domestic property will usually need a different level of assessment from a large warehouse, office building or multi-property portfolio. The condition and layout of the building can also affect what is involved.
Rather than being caught out by unclear pricing, speak to AVT about the property first. We will explain what type of EPC assessment you need and provide clear information before you book.
Why Should I Choose AVT UK as my EPC Assessor?
Searching for an EPC assessor often happens when a deadline is already looming.
You may have an estate agent waiting to list the property, a tenant ready to move in, a lease due to complete or a buyer asking for documents.
AVT helps you arrange a domestic or commercial EPC assessment without adding more stress to the process.
And if the result highlights a low EPC rating or bigger concern, we can help you look beyond the certificate too.
AVT specialises in building performance testing, including air tightness testing, Heat3D thermal heat loss surveys and ventilation testing. So, unlike other companies that will simply provide you with your score and walk away, we’ll make sure you have a clear plan of the best way to improve your EPC rating.
Need A New EPC Certificate?
If you can’t find your EPC certificate, your current one has expired, or you need an updated EPC rating after making improvements to your property, AVT UK can help.
We provide domestic energy assessors and commercial EPC services for homeowners, landlords, property managers, developers and businesses.
You’ll get a professional EPC certificate, clear advice, and access to wider building performance support where needed.
Find out more about AVT UK’s domestic and commercial EPC assessments by clicking the link, or call 0161 706 1401 to book your EPC assessment today.