How can I get my EPC from E to C?

How can I get my EPC from E to C?

0:01 AM, 8th August 2023, About 9 months ago 98

Text Size

Hello, I own a 1900 solid brick small workers’ cottage. It’s been fully renovated, new roof, new DG and electric heaters with no mains gas. My EPC is currently an E.

I ask the assessor if I put in mains gas central heating how many points would my EPC increase by. He said he couldn’t tell me!!!! So I am now wondering if the assessor doesn’t have a clue, then how are we, the public meant to?!

What’s the point of doing any upgrades if I cannot get a guaranteed EPC C rating? Will most of the houses in the country predating 1900 ever get to a C without having to spend £30k min. Looks like I’m offloading the house if I can’t find any assured answers from officials.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated,

Helen


Share This Article


Comments

Castle

16:58 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 24/08/2023 - 16:46
Yes, that's an important consideration.

For the moment, I am mainly doing properties that are in need of a full refurb anyway, and I can fairly eaily get to a C, e.g. by IWI where I would be plastering anyway. That way its only costing < 1K extra in most cases.

But there is a risk even with this approach; If I get to just over a C rating, lets say in the low seventies, by the time it needs renewing the rules could well have changed. I am expecting in the future more points to be available for electricity based heating, and less for gas, so in that scenario I might have a problem in 10 years time.

But, some measures will save a tiny amount of energy, and that will have a payback, probably over 10 years in the case of IWI insulation and under floor insulation, especially if done at the same time as other work. This wont apply to most other measures.

Contango

17:01 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 24/08/2023 - 16:46
I have to say that I don't agree. It is such a large project for multi owner landlords that the right approach is to keep chipping away at it.

Beaver

17:04 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Castle at 24/08/2023 - 16:58
Agreed. Like you if there's easy stuff you can do whilst you have to do upgrades anyway then that makes sense. But I have a concern about being obliged to put in CWI in order to get above a D rating. My concerns are to do with damp. If I have to do the alternative and line internally then I might be prepared to do it at the next major upgrade but I would be kicking the existing tenants out during works that would otherwise be too disruptive and depending upon the totality of everything I would have to do to get above D, under the current tax regime I would be expecting to put new tenants in at a 25-50% increase in rent, depending upon exactly what was required.

And I would be doing that with a clear conscience: Because neither the present EPC system nor the present tax system make any sense for landlords, for tenants or for the environment.

And no tenant is going to benefit from the current proposals in any way.

Castle

17:05 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Contango at 24/08/2023 - 17:01
Remember, its already been pushed back to 2028 (I think? nothing has been confirmed). In response to Uxbridge, Gove last month suggested even this was 'asking too much of landlords'

I recon Conservatives will be back in 2028.

Castle

17:12 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 24/08/2023 - 17:04
It should be clear now this isn't about helping tenants, all this stuff is about punishing landlords.

Also, we need to consider if work done now would help towards the 'all improvements made' exemption, i.e. if it could be argued that solar panels etc were not an option. I am not sure about this.

Castle

17:19 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

In the current MEES guidance, it states that any expenditure since 2017 will count towards the high cost exemption, It will be interesting to see how this transfers to the new regulations.

Contango

17:29 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Castle at 24/08/2023 - 17:19
very! We have concentrated in the last few years on over-roofing all flat roofs with 130/mm of slab insulation to current standards new membrane and a mineral layer for fireproofing. Single skin skylights are now triple insulated polycarbonate. Yes this has all been eye wateringly expensive but when we really looked at the flat roof areas they were all getting extremely old and with multiple weak points.

Russell Cartner

18:16 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Contango at 24/08/2023 - 17:01
Most Landlords aren't multi, many are single retired, an awful lot have terraced.
To get to C from D its cavity fill or internal insulation or Solar, no matter what else you do. £10,000 I don't think so
On an older house Band E, F G it is simply not worth the vast expense. Removal of Sec 21 means having to go to court for minimum 8 month,s no rent, house trashed, Letigation fees of at least £10,000 whilst tenant has free lawyer. PRS is stuffed

Russell Cartner

18:22 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Castle at 24/08/2023 - 17:05
Doesn't matter when or if, it's happening
Its simply not worth paying £10,000 to upgrade from Band D to C
The Pro tenant Government, Looney Left Shelter and Generation rent are toxic
PRS is stuffed

Russell Cartner

18:27 PM, 24th August 2023, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Castle at 24/08/2023 - 17:12
Solar panels or Cavity fill or Inner wall insulation have the points to raise you to Band C from D.
Anyone on E, F, G forget it

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now