About PostcodeCheck
We combine 20+ government data sources into one clear, comprehensive area report for any UK postcode. Free, instant, no sign-up.
What we do
PostcodeCheck is a free area intelligence platform. Enter any UK postcode and get a comprehensive report covering crime, schools, property prices, broadband, flood risk, transport, air quality, noise, planning applications, and more.
We pull data from 14+ official government and public data sources in real time, score the area on a 0-100 scale, and present everything in one clear page. No registration, no paywalls on the core data, no hidden fees.
Our goal is simple: help people make better decisions about where to live, rent, or buy. Whether you are a first-time buyer researching a postcode, a renter comparing areas, or an investor evaluating a location, PostcodeCheck gives you the data you need in seconds.
How we calculate the Area Score
The Area Score is a weighted composite of 8 sub-scores, each derived from official government data. Every sub-score is normalised to 0-100, then combined using the weights below.
| Category | Weight | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Crime & Safety | 20% | Monthly police crime data, trend analysis, and antisocial behaviour |
| Schools | 15% | Ofsted ratings of schools within 3km, percentage rated Good or Outstanding |
| Transport | 15% | DfT connectivity metric, proximity to rail and bus services |
| Affordability | 15% | Property prices relative to UK average, price trends over 1-5 years |
| Broadband | 10% | Average download speeds, fibre availability, full fibre bonus |
| Environment | 10% | Flood risk zones from the Environment Agency |
| Healthcare | 10% | Nearby GP surgeries, quality ratings, accessibility |
| Energy Efficiency | 5% | Average EPC rating of properties in the area |
Grade scale
Data sources
All data comes from official government and public sources, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 or equivalent open licences.
Police.uk
England & WalesMonthly crime statistics by category and location
Land Registry
England & WalesProperty sold prices, price trends, and market data
Ofsted
EnglandSchool inspection ratings (Outstanding, Good, RI, Inadequate)
Environment Agency
EnglandFlood risk zones and river/sea/surface water risk
EPC Register
England & WalesEnergy Performance Certificate ratings for properties
DfT
EnglandTransport connectivity scores and accessibility metrics
IMD 2025
EnglandIndex of Multiple Deprivation: income, employment, education, health, crime, housing
ONS Census
England & WalesDemographics, population, household composition, economic activity
Open-Meteo
UK-wideHistorical weather data: temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
Postcodes.io
UK-widePostcode geolocation, LSOA mapping, administrative geography
NaPTAN / OSM
UK-wideBus stops, rail stations, tram stops, ferry terminals
PlanIt
England & WalesPlanning applications from local authorities
OpenStreetMap
UK-wideNoise sources: roads, railways, nightlife, industrial areas
Ofcom
UK-wideMobile signal coverage and broadband speeds
Lifestyle scores
In addition to the overall Area Score, we calculate five lifestyle-specific scores (each 0-10) tailored to different priorities:
Families
Schools, safety, air quality, healthcare, education outcomes
First-Time Buyers
Affordability, transport, broadband, price growth, energy efficiency
Investors
Price growth, rental demand, transport, broadband, entry price
Retirees
Healthcare, safety, air quality, flood protection, health outcomes
Commuters
Transport connectivity, broadband (WFH), affordability, safety
Limitations
PostcodeCheck is designed to give you a comprehensive starting point for area research, but no algorithm can capture everything about a place.
- IMD (deprivation) and transport data currently cover England only. Scottish and Welsh postcodes have partial coverage.
- Crime data relies on Police.uk, which has a 2-3 month reporting delay and uses approximate locations.
- Property price data reflects completed sales (Land Registry), not current asking prices or rental values.
- The Area Score is a composite indicator. Two areas with the same score may have very different strengths and weaknesses. Always check the individual sub-scores and section details.
- We recommend visiting an area in person and at different times of day before making any major decisions.
Contact
Questions, feedback, or data corrections? Email us at hello@postcodecheck.co.uk