2024 Guide to UPRNs (Unique Property Reference Numbers) for UK Property Investors

Do you know the UPRN of a property? How can you find this out? In this blog, I will discuss what UPRNs are, how they differ from other identifiers like postcodes, addresses and Land Registry title numbers, and how they can be useful to property investors.

Table of Contents

What Is A UPRN?

A UPRN, or Unique Property Reference Number, is a reference number of up to 12 digits that is allocated to every building in the UK, from houses and flats to bus stops and electricity substations, even for something as small as post boxes. This number functions as a unique identifier throughout the entire lifecycle of the property even as it changes state or function, all the way from planning to demolition.

Similar to UPRNs are USRNs, which are Unique Street Reference Numbers. Much like properties and buildings, some street names can change over time, become ambiguous, and cause problems with street planning and allocation of public services. USRNs also help with map accuracy and navigation systems.

Who Allocates UPRNs?

UPRNs were created by the UK’s mapping service, Ordnance Survey, 20 years ago. In 2020, UPRNs were released under an Open Government License as the public sector standard for identifying, referencing and sharing data about a specific property. The government also mandated the use of UPRNs in the public sector. Local authorities allocate UPRNs to specific properties and other objects from a range provided by GeoPlace.

What Are The Benefits Of UPRNs?

UPRNs provide a standardised way of identifying and referencing properties and can be beneficial for accurately identifying a building, even a specific flat within a large apartment block. Street addresses can be ambiguous and subject to change over time, for example, someone can change a house number to a name instead, creating confusion and potential inaccuracy. UPRNs can be read by a computer, which helps with data sharing across different systems and between organisations, reducing manual paperwork where possible.

Some older properties may have physical title deeds on paper which can get lost or damaged easily. A UPRN enables all information about a property to be stored digitally, which is much safer and easier to access. UPRNs can help maintain consistent records of properties, which can help when planning property maintenance, utility connections, infrastructure planning, and other services. UPRNs can also help to speed up the conveyancing process when purchasing a property.

UPRNs can also cut down on consumer fraud and rogue landlords letting out properties that they don’t legally own or have any rights to, as data on a property can be easily checked using the UPRN.

What’s The Difference Between A UPRN And A Land Registry Title Number?

Most properties in England and Wales are registered with the HM Land Registry and assigned a title number. This title number is used to track property ownership but rarely includes other information. UPRNs are connected with much more data about a property that is shared with the emergency services, HMRC, DWP and The Environment Agency for a variety of reasons, from ensuring the correct benefits are provided through the DWP to making sure the emergency services know the exact location of a property, enabling a faster service that could even save lives. So a Land Registry Title Number can give information about the current and past ownership of a property, but a UPRN can help provide much more information.

How To Find The UPRN Of A Property?

Before 2020, UPRNs were already in use, but were not easily accessible, and required specific software and licences. Since 2020, they are now available to the public for free.

You can find the UPRN of a property by going to the Ordnance Survey website and completing their online form or calling their contact number. You can also access and download datasets in the form of a CSV or GeoPackage here. If you want to find the UPRN of a specific address, you can go to Find My Address, where you can do up to 10 free searches a day.

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Benefits Of UPRNs For Property Investors

The most immediate benefit of UPRNs to property investors is that they provide a precise and standardised way of identifying a property, even within large or complex housing developments or apartment blocks. This can remove any ambiguity and ensure everyone concerned is on the same page, from landowners and developers to surveyors and solicitors. Once a UPRN is allocated to a property, it is permanent and not subject to any variations like a street address could be. This offers reassurance that you are referring to the correct property at all times and working with the most accurate and current data.

You can easily access important information about a property using the UPRN, from what building materials were used, who is the owner or assigned land authority, what utilities are hooked up e.g, gas and electric, is the property at risk of environmental issues such as flooding or subsidence, and more. You can even find the EPC rating of some properties from the UPRN, as the Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have incorporated this data into UPRNs.

UPRNs can also be useful when buying or selling property. Zoopla already uses UPRNs to provide more accurate information about properties and provide a better service to their customers. UPRNs can help to accelerate the conveyancing process by offering easily shared, digital information, ensuring that all parties involved, from solicitors and conveyancers to mortgage providers and surveyors have the most accurate and up-to-date property information to hand.

UPRNs can also be helpful in property portfolios to manage regular maintenance and inspections, monitor profit and loss on a particular property, comply with licensing and other legal requirements, and more.

For more information about the UK housing market and investing in property, why not check out one of Assets For Life’s FREE property events? Join me, Liam, J Ryan, at my Property Investment Summit, or see all of our upcoming property events here.