EPC inaccuracies could leave properties let illegally

EPC inaccuracies could leave properties let illegally

14:17 PM, 10th July 2019, About 6 years ago 17

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A recent study exploring the risks and impacts on the reliability of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) has uncovered a staggering amount of properties across the UK may be unwittingly let illegally. An extensive study using Spec technology has estimated that poor measurement standards currently used by the property sector has led to approximately 2.5 million EPCs being inaccurately rated.

The report, entitled, Impacts of Inaccurate Area Measurement on EPC Grades explores how outdated techniques to measure floor space can have a significant impact on the accuracy of EPCs.

According to the study, 1 in 4 EPCs are mismeasured by at least 10% of their size. It also indicated that 1 in 4 property measurement reports are out by at least 100 Sq Ft, meaning there could be serious consequences on the validity of EPC ratings across the country.

With an estimated one million properties that require an EPC to be legally let in the UK, approximately 33,000 E-rated properties are thought to be incorrectly rated, and therefore being let illegally.

The incorrect measurements leading to miscalculated EPC ratings also result in inflated mortgages or under insured houses, affecting owners’ ability to qualify for ‘green mortgages’, that financially benefit those with better performing properties.

James D Marshall, Founder and CEO at Spec said: “With the growing importance of EPCs, financially, legally and environmentally, it is crucial for owners to be aware of the effects that inaccurate property measurements could have on their EPC ratings. A property’s energy efficiency rating ranges from A-G, with G being the worst possible rating.

“We know that the Government hopes to have homes in the private rented sector, and all fuel-poor homes, to be upgraded to EPC band C by 2030 under its Clean Growth Strategy. However this target currently remains fanciful due to the inaccurate measurements set in place.

“It’s also clear that property professionals must very carefully consider what services and systems their business is using. Properties being marketed with inaccurate EPCs are a legal liability both to the agents marketing them and the owners or landlord renting them,” he said.


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John Dace

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10:46 AM, 13th July 2019, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mike T at 13/07/2019 - 09:28
There is no value. No one wants them - Just government! but as usual we just sat on our hands and watched it coming. The government should have spent the time and money on incentives and grants etc to raise efficiency. In other words ‘carrot’ not ‘stick’.

Mike T

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12:06 PM, 13th July 2019, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John Dace at 13/07/2019 - 10:46I agree with you John. wasn't it all started with that 'HIPS' stuff ? More trouble than it was worth AND a missed opportunity to combat the gazumping problem that both buyers and sellers face.

reader

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12:51 PM, 13th July 2019, About 6 years ago

Make a friend of your EPC assessor, the benefits a enormous. Seek their advice and apply it, consider paying for a preliminary opinion.

Private Housing Provider

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10:52 AM, 15th July 2019, About 6 years ago

This is an email I sent to a Epc agent,

''Good morning Gary,

Thank for the updated Epc.

I am still not happy with this purely because I had an Epc carried out at the house on 10.06.17 which was rated at Band D/64 (attached) before we had the high heat retention modern smart heaters installed throughout the house and now internal wall insulation.

After those 2 major measures improvement installed, you provide an Epc band D/63 on 10.06.19. They does not add up or make sense.

Can you explain why this is happening or are there something that can be corrected here? Surely with 2 major improvement measures mentioned above will not put the rating backwards?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards, Alan''.

The email above explains the inaccuracy of Epc's and how it can cost landlords thousands on measures that can not be accurately measured through an Epc. How an Epc rating of Band D/64 in 2017, then I had 2 major improvement done since to get a Band D/63 rating in the new Epc in 2019 is beyond me or explanation. The Epc agent has not replied by the way.

MrConnie

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10:57 AM, 15th July 2019, About 6 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Alan Wong at 15/07/2019 - 10:52
Did you tell the assessor that there was insulation installed in the walls, and did you provide him with evidence of this? It also depends on whether the previous EPC was accurate or not, and whether the new DEA recognised them as HHR storage heaters, they’re extremely rare.

reader

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11:26 AM, 15th July 2019, About 6 years ago

Sorry to harp on with my suggestion but it works well for me! Prior to commissioning works ascertain the benefit and maximise the potential by working in conjunction with your assessor to design a specification. I moved a F to a D with two high spec storage radiators that were on the approved list. So simple really, plan with your assessor and execute the works according to cost/benefits.

Jireh Homes

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14:20 PM, 17th July 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Alan Wong at 15/07/2019 - 10:52Hi Alan - it may be the original EPC was inaccurate, the latest DEA did not have the evidence for the internal insulation or that as the Conventions changed Dec 2017 the calculation will be different. That said the DEA should respond to your query.
If there is some time since challenged the DEA, you should raise your query with the Accreditation Body whose details are noted on the EPC.
Allan

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