How do the government expect us to afford to achieve EPC C rating? 

Just been in the same position but found cavity wall is not too expensive. 1930s house with 65mm cavities cost us £1034 for polystyrene beads. Now comfortably grade C and almost grade B. Put rent up £60 p.m. and paid for in 18 months.

Reply to the comment left by Keith Williams at 20/07/2023 - 09:42
Now just wait for the damp issues to start,.

Yes the walls are the big one to have big epc points. This is where most heat is lost (people think it’s the roof but that’s no 2).

Fill the cavity and you will be good to go. It is not that expensive. Maybe £1500.

We will need to achieve epc B most likely in the 2030’s as this train is not gunna stop.

All houses in the land will be affected by the epc C rating so again keep this in mind. 2030’s will be when the screw is tightened on everyone, not just landlords.

All my houses achieve a C and it has been painless to get here. Lots of grants over the years for free wall insulation and boilers etc. solar will be the next step so start saving, but I imagine there will be grants available.

So it is not all doom and gloom. Work closely with an assessor and get him to run different insulation levels for you in the different parts of the property. You might not need some measures if certain easier measures are increased (loft to 400mm will get a few more points).

Reply to the comment left by Keith Williams at 20/07/2023 - 09:42
About 15 years ago I had cavity wall insulation at my own home, a 1950's built detached house that just would not get up to comfortable temperature on cold winter days. I can't remember the cost or the impact on EPC rating but afterwards the house was able to get up temperature, even on the coldest days. It worked for me.

This whole “C” thing is a shambles and I’m personally sick of hearing about it. Just ignore it until there is actually official clarity / legalisation.

Problem I have is although my properties have cavities the outside skin is partially made of stone which is all different thicknesses so the cavity can vary from 20 to 75 mm so no installers will touch it. Manage to get latest to a C with 25mm insulated plasterboard but wasn’t occupied. Waiting to see what new rules are when published and see how it all fits in, as wont be able to get tenant out to refurbish a potentially illegal property.

many 1930s homes do not have a cavity wall...1 property we had was lagged, combi boiler, double glazed, low energy lights etc....EPC D. told to get to C, needed to take up and lag the concrete floor, and to clad the building. Costs quoted were unrealistic... property sold.
But my thoughts are...when the privately owned homes need to become a C, how will the new owners do this with this one?

Will the same legislation apply to council houses? Or it is just a private landlord who is suffering, so tenants can save about £100 a year?

Reply to the comment left by Fiona Wilks at 20/07/2023 - 10:03
potentially if they remortgage they will get worse rates than if the property were a higher EPC rating?

There are some banks now giving slightly preferential rates I believe if you have a higher EPC rating.

Of course it wont affect those who own outright...until they come to sell - then there is another potential catch if they suddenly announce you cant sell at less than X rating.
There will be more sales of homes not reaching C rating at auctions instead and temp exemptions being applied for by those new owners for 6 months while they achieve whatever rating standard is applied.

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 20/07/2023 - 10:16
I doubt it, as per usual...