Councils using ‘Intelligence’ to track down low EPC properties and fine £5,000

Reply to the comment left by Ray Lancaster at 30/03/2021 - 18:30
U say it exactly Ray.

There is many of us that don't want our houses any more, we only keeping them for the tenants. What do we do if we want to sell in 2025 & the tenant can't get anywhere?
And we know most tenants don't understand this EPC new C rule & they just want somewhere to live & are gonna' be asking Why have I got to leave?
I ain't gonna' ask to leave, but nor do I want to spend £10,000 on a house I no longer want. Govt should be being told, some Landlords are only keeping for current tenant.

To add something to the answer of the original question, I know that you can simply apply online to find out what the EPC rating is for in a property. If the council were to decide to get aggressive, they could easily do that with all the let or suspected let property in their area.

Reply to the comment left by linda green at 02/04/2021 - 18:20
Hi Linda - in response to your question on Victorian conversion leasehold flat (presently a D rating) and any upgrade possible to bring up to a C would need intrusive work which freeholder refuses to give permission, the solution is to apply for an exemption (which will last five years, and then apply again).

In my experience Local Authority and Housing Association etc houses have the lowest ratings. I know of 2 such tenants who live in a G rated premises. Councils should be looking at keeping their house "clean" first, oh they are exempt from being a minimum E rating!!!!

My last EPC says I can increase my D to a C by three recommendations. They will take from 40 to about 150 years to justify the costs from the savings.

So where will the money come from? Magic money tree or rents? Go figure.

Recommendation 1: Internal or external wall insulation
Internal or external wall insulation
Typical installation cost
Potential energy rating
C
£4,000 - £14,000
Typical yearly saving
£116
Potential rating after carrying out recommendation 1

70 | C
Recommendation 2: Floor insulation (solid floor)
Floor insulation (solid floor)
Typical installation cost
£4,000 - £6,000
Typical yearly saving
£42
Potential rating after carrying out recommendations 1 and 2

Recommendation 3: Double glazed windows
Replace single glazed windows with low-E double glazed windows
Typical installation cost
£3,300 - £6,500

Typical yearly saving
£39

My recollection is that, whilst the the regulations have yet to be published following the consultation, the proposal was to introduce the enhanced rating requirement for new tenancies from 2025 and for existing tenancies from 2028.

The existing rating system has come in for so much criticism that it would not surprise me if it is completely overhauled before the changes come into effect, particularly in view of the drive to switch away from gas to other forms of heating, which has a broadly similar timescale.

A question: if I have a long term tenant in situ and their EPC expires, do I need a new one?

Or do I only need a new one when the property is eventually relet (which might not be for years)?

Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 02/04/2021 - 19:36
I'm sure you are correct but could you elaborate a little on the types of problems experienced please?

I have an 'E' and three with a 'D' rating amongst the portfolio and am contemplating what I can realistically do to achieve a better rating but want to avoid inadvertently introducing any problems as a result.

One of the 'D' ratings is only a few years old and I'm sure has been misallocated.

I once rejected an EPC report on another property on the grounds that it was so far out compared to the recently expired rating that it was a replacement for I seriously wondered whether we were talking about the same property. Even the quoted floor area was massively adrift. Inspector got quite shirty when we refused to pay his bill.

I totally understand the need for Legislation to keep houses in a good and fair condition so action against Bad landlords is good news and properties should be up to date with all the required certificates, but does anyone else wish the council were as efficient in other areas like Refuse collected on time, the streets being kept clean, pot holes filled in etc and stop harassing Private Landlords who they know they can track down easily as a way of making a Quick Buck to pay for other services and maybe if they Fined there own Tenants for smashing up council properties, for leaving rubbish dumped everywhere or collected all the rents owed to them by there own Tenants they might leave Private Landlords alone for once!! Also can anyone tell me who sets the £5000 fine level is it the council or central Government? Peter

Reply to the comment left by Peter Lassman at 03/04/2021 - 15:53
I wonder who regulates Council Properties ??