Landlords will undertake major EPC work in 2023

I wont be doing anything major at all until the finer details is released!

The last thing I want to do is spend money on something that may not be counted as coming under the cap if for instance work is completed before the date to count the works as eligible comes in.

I also want to understand if there are any changes being made to the EPC itself. This could make the difference with what (if any) works may/may not be needed, and what any cost implications could be.

If too ridiculous I will sell.

I did some lost insulation last year for free under ECO3 – the grant being based on the tenants income. However, that didn’t include student properties – even though they don’t earn anything!

I’ve yet to investigate ECO4 but don’t suppose they will be included

DSR above is right, ‘Though the plans have not yet become law, ministers have previously proposed that by April 2025, newly rented properties in England and Wales will need to meet a minimum EPC standard of C – tougher than the current E standard.’
As stated above the plans are not yet law. Given the existing time frames stated and the likely hood of a new government/party in power it’s best to wait for the actual law to be in place first before spending any money. The time frame also very likely to change to give a more reasonable time frame once law.

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 21/03/2023 – 11:04
If you sell what do you do with the money? Please don’t say you will invest in shares.

I think the EPC is seriously flawed and open to abuse. They should also look at linking it to actual usage from smart meter readings.

I have been looking at the gov website for EPC’s in a lot of roads and the ratings look wildly subjective. Some for the same house say cavity wall insulation then another updated one for the same house a few years later say no cavity wall insulation.

What’s to stop you setting up as an EPC DEA after 3 days online training then carrying out work for your friends/family or even your own properties and submit it as an interested party?

Reply to the comment left by Jakjak at 22/03/2023 – 12:49I agree it’s a farce. Many of the assumptions are subjective & as a result inconsistent. I’ve seen EPCs for the same property differ in rating when they need updating after the 10 year period. The assumptions being the only major change.
Little or NO understanding of building construction.

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 21/03/2023 – 11:04
Will only do bits that can be classified as repairs or maintenance.
The idiots at HMRC classify anything else as improvements. So until that changes nothing will happen

Reply to the comment left by tech min at 22/03/2023 – 07:02
stick it in the bank for the mo to gain a bit of interest before thinking through the options available. Sometimes it not about finding another investment venture immediately, but taking it back in hand first from the ones that want to exert THEIR control over it.

EPC ratings are too often inaccurate I have found. Yes even to assumptions that party walls are exposed when it is a terraced property.

Once a landlord has changed the light bulbs insulated the accessible roof space and thermostatic values and a efficient boiler its a struggle to further upgrade. The emphases on double glazing as being a winner is flawed as its often not cost effective ( unless real rotten windows exist) and most of the time the heat loss loss not significant. The focus on windows and for that matter doors should be proper draught proofing including double letter flaps and a positive seal to the door threshold/cill especially the front door which is often well worn, The surveyor wasn’t interested in these points just that the windows weren’t double glazed, this is dumb.
Further surprised that no credit was given to heat recovery extractor fans nor the kitchen hood extractor vented to the outside. Both of these help reduce the amount of moisture in the air and indirectly the need to keep the two raised to avoid condensation/mould issues

The EPC’s are not a good tool especially for older properties where things like wall insulation /underfloor insulation etc are not doable.

Rasing the minimum EPC rating to C is for too many going to near impossible and there are alternatives that should be considered in the current points system that should be included