How can I get my EPC from E to C?

I was horrified to discover recently that one of my flats was at ‘F’ The EPC was done after I had completely refurbished it and rented it out and in those days the EPC rating didn’t matter for tenancies. It is a very warm flat in a purpose built block with double glazing and flats above and below it. I put in good electric heaters but they hardly need to be used even in winter. There is no gas in the flat. No way to install a heat pump as the flat is on the 2nd floor and in any case how would a massive noisy structure be allowed to be cited within what is the communal garden area?
It was just one point below an ‘E’ and recommended renewing the hot water cylinder jacket which was a bit old and changing the light bulbs to energy efficient. I replaced the cylinder jacket to a top grade thick one and added a timer. I was confident that this would raise the level to an ‘E.’
I had the new assessment done (with a different surveyor) and it came well into a ‘D’ to my surprise. It still said the cylinder jacket needs renewing (which is rubbish) but stated that all the lights were LED’s. They are the same lights that were there when the last survey was done! What a lot of nonsense these EPC surveys are. At least I got an acceptable level for now but will have to sell as no way can I get it to a ‘C.’ Another tenant to be evicted from a perfectly good and liveable flat then and a further loss to the PRS.

Reply to the comment left by Helen at 26/08/2023 – 14:51
Every area has a Member of Parliament
I appeal to all on here to send a Complaint Letter to there MP with all your grievences asking for a reply.
The more people that do will push them into standing up for the PRS

Reply to the comment left by Helen at 26/08/2023 – 14:51
Now that more and more electricity is made without fossil fuels electric heating is probably going to be uprated and gas downgraded so you might just be ok to keep it and squeak into an acceptable grade

Reply to the comment left by Contango at 26/08/2023 – 21:12
I think the answer might be the high heat retention heaters, possibly on a dual tariff. I think even now this would score high points and I expect more so when the EPC scores are upgraded.

Reply to the comment left by Helen at 26/08/2023 – 14:51
So in conclusion, like in many jobs, you get good workers and poor workers. Does anyone know if there is a way that a member of public can report these failings to the assessors company or authorities body? Without feedback the process will never be improved, perhaps Mr Gove would like to take note when he next changes the system.

If many thousands of Landlords email £150,000 per year MIchael Gove MP to complain we might at least sicken him

Reply to the comment left by Russell Cartner at 28/08/2023 – 10:48
Nah, He’ll just go on “I’m a Celebrity – Get me out of here”. (On full MPs salary of course).

Reply to the comment left by John Hayes at 28/08/2023 – 11:04
Well I have emailed my MP and Gove
All there emails are available you can cc as many as you want

Reply to the comment left by Richard Dickson at 08/08/2023 – 15:59
Hi
Thank you for your comment. However, as I said the flat is in a purpose built block on the 2nd floor and where would an air source heat pump be situated?
This is an issue for my other flats which are not on the ground floor and don’t have their own gardens.
In any case I can’t afford to spend all that money for the relatively short term. My mortgage fixed term comes up in a year and it is likely that the increased rates will make the flat uneconomic to rent out.
I was given a D rating which is adequate for now. I know it is a warm flat as I said and doesn’t cost much to heat.
My point was the discrepancy between the EPC assessors who it seems couldn’t even see the new hot water cylinder jacket and the previous one couldn’t see the low energy light bulbs.
I was thinking of doing a course and doing my own assessments but I believe this isn’t allowed. I guess if a different company was set up it might go unnoticed however.

Sell while you can Accelerated Sec 21 Probably take 8 months will get an awful lot worse
Email your owm MP explain to him why you are selling and that you wont vote for him at next election unless Gove changes his policies