Student property EPC downgraded moving C rating further away?

Student property EPC downgraded moving C rating further away?

9:55 AM, 13th February 2023, About A year ago 17

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We recently had a new EPC done on our 5-bed student rental, which initially downgraded it from a D (65 points) on the previous EPC to an E (53 points) although nothing has changed.

After complaining, the assessor agreed that he hadn’t looked in the roof (he said it was inaccessible) and after I climbed in and sent photos, he agreed there was roof insulation and increased it to a D (57 points). All well and good but it is now extremely difficult for us to get it up to a C.

We are planning to overhaul the roof and put in room-in-roof insulation (another 7 points) but this will only take it to 64 points, well short of the 69 needed for a C, but if we had the previous rating, then another 7 points would take us comfortably into band C (72 points).

The only thing I can see on his form that has changed is that he’s rated the ‘Partial Double Glazing’ as Poor whereas the previous one was ‘Average’ (all the upper floor is double glazed). In any event, if we double-glaze it all, that’s only 1 extra point, according to the form.

There are no buildings with EPCs in this postcode about a D at the moment – they are large semi-detached Victorian houses.
Is there anything we can do about this rating?

What sort of expert do we need to let us know what improvements we need to make to get it to a C?

The roof works are going to be extremely costly (upwards of £20K) so maybe we should just throw in the towel and sell up.

Opinions/advice needed please

Caroline


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Comments

Beaver

19:03 PM, 13th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 13/02/2023 - 14:35
My thoughts are apply for an exemption and wait until you are obliged to do something and the EPC system becomes clearer. It's a mess at the moment.

Chris Grant

20:15 PM, 13th February 2023, About A year ago

My company provides over 10000 EPC each year for Landlords. I can assist you
Chris - EPC Choice

Esat Karahasan

23:24 PM, 15th February 2023, About A year ago

Hi Caroline,

Please don’t be disheartened by this or some of the negative comments you have received, not many truly understand EPCs including many assessors.

EPCs when introduced in 2007 could be performed by Domestic Energy Assessors who gained qualification through a very basic weekend course or even without any training through a now removed prior experiential learning route.

I have found when renewing EPCs carried out 10+ years ago there is almost always a change in rating and this mainly due to the following reasons.

1 the EPCs of that period where sometimes carried out by assessors with questionable experience and therefore inaccurate.

2 EPCs of that period required less evidence to lodge and many where done on a drive by/desktop assessment.

3 there have been many updates to the SAP points system and how many points various things are worth which some have gone up and some down.

I would be happy to talk you through your current EPC and help you discover any inaccuracies many other and have one of our assessors guide you through the most cost effective improvements to reach the C rating without breaking the bank. Something the EPCs recommendations and assessors are not great at.

You can send me an email to info@tpic.Co.uk with your contact details and I can have one of our team contact you free of charge.

Caroline Wilson

11:38 AM, 19th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 13/02/2023 - 11:37
I didn't realise that might be a possibility - I'll look into it

Caroline Wilson

11:40 AM, 19th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Esat Karahasan at 15/02/2023 - 23:24
Many thanks for your helpful advice - I will send you an email

Caroline Wilson

11:41 AM, 19th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Neilt at 13/02/2023 - 11:41
Too late I'm afraid - he registered it before he sent it to us!

Caroline Wilson

11:42 AM, 19th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 13/02/2023 - 12:16
I will and thanks for sharing the link

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