Unique property reference number (UPRN)
A number of up to 12 digits that identifies every addressable place in Great Britain, such as a home, a flat or a building, for its whole life.
In short: A UPRN is a unique number given to every addressable location in Great Britain by local councils and Ordnance Survey. It stays the same even if the address is written differently or the street is renamed. Government has made it the open standard for referring to a property.
Selling a homeFinding a tenant
England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
Why it is useful:
- Addresses are written many ways ("Flat 2, 10 High St" or "10b High Street"); the UPRN does not change.
- It links records about the same home held in different places, such as the EPC register and council records.
- Each flat in a block has its own UPRN, and the block itself has another.
You can find a home's UPRN on its EPC on the government register, and through mapping services. On this platform it helps spot when the same home has been added twice.
Related: Energy performance certificate (EPC), Material information
Where this comes from
Guides on this
Guide
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Since 1 May 2026 you cannot take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, can take at most one month's rent before it starts, and cannot invite or accept offers above the rent you advertised.
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First-time landlord checklist for England
From deciding to let to the first rent arriving: the consents, safety checks, licence, right to rent, written statement, deposit, inventory, landlord database and tax, in order, as the law stands after 1 May 2026.
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Selling a home that is let: with the tenant in place or empty
Sell with the tenant staying, or empty. Without the tenant's agreement, ground 1A needs four months' notice and cannot be used in the first year. Plus the EPC and the 60-day tax deadline.
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Right to rent checks
Before any adult moves into a property you let in England, you must check they have the right to rent, and keep the evidence. Manual, online share-code or certified digital checks, and what to do about time-limited permission.
Related terms
Glossary
Material information
The facts about a home a person needs to decide whether to rent or buy it, such as the rent or price, council tax band, EPC and any known risks, which an advert must not leave out.
Glossary
Capital gains tax 60-day report
When you sell a UK home that is not your main home and owe capital gains tax, you must report and pay it to HMRC within 60 days of completion.
Glossary
Client money protection (CMP)
Cover that repays landlords and tenants if an agent loses or misuses money it holds for them. Compulsory for agents in England that hold client money.
Glossary
Freehold
Owning a property and the land it stands on outright, with no time limit. Most houses in England are freehold.
Glossary
Ground rent
A yearly payment a leaseholder makes to the freeholder under the lease. For most new long residential leases since 30 June 2022 it is limited to a peppercorn (nothing).
Glossary
Guarantor
A person who promises in writing to pay the rent, or cover other losses, if the tenant does not. Often asked of students or people on a lower income.