Property firm calls for EPC assessor accreditation overhaul

Property firm calls for EPC assessor accreditation overhaul

0:01 AM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago 7

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A leading property firm is urging the industry to adopt stricter accreditation for Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessors after repeated encounters with inaccurate EPC ratings that significantly differed upon reassessment.

The call from Re:volve Real Estate points to a major issue that needs addressing – the use of unqualified assessors finalising ratings based on assumptions instead of verified data.

The firm says it regularly deals with qualified EPC professionals who are pitted against assessors with minimal qualifications obtained through brief courses.”

‘Much of our work relies on the EPC ratings’

The firm’s senior building surveyor, Andy Heath, said: “As building surveyors, much of our work and recommendations rely on the EPC ratings of our projects.

“However, we often encounter significant fluctuations in these ratings, depending on the assessor and when it is completed.

“We frequently have to reevaluate projects that were initially assessed by qualified professionals, as we find that the true rating actually falls within band B instead of its current D rating.”

He added: “A large proportion of issues are as a result of assessors not sourcing quality and confirmed data. Often ratings are finalised off assumptions and is a key downfall within the industry.”

Ever-evolving EPC model creates legal complications

Mr Heath says that the ever-evolving EPC model creates legal complications for clients struggling to meet shifting EPC standards.

He points to a recent 30,000-square-foot office space project as an example of the issues being faced.

After the firm had carried out rigorous future-proofing maintenance and assessment of the building they discovered a huge difference between the required assessment and the one that had been carried out.

The initial assessment was carried out by a Level 3 energy assessor which led to a much lower EPC rating of D.

When the reassessment was carried out by a qualified Level 4 assessor, the EPC rating was upgraded to a B – reflecting the building’s true energy efficiency.

‘Accreditation required for assessing a building’s energy’

Mr Heath said: “I believe I can speak on behalf of my peers when I say that the accreditation required for assessing a building’s energy does not meet the industry’s standards.

“We work with professional EPC assessors who are up against assessors with minimal qualifications from a short two-week course.

“The ever-changing model means that energy ratings are in a constant state of flux, creating significant legal complications for our clients who are constantly trying to keep up with shifting standards.”

He added: “To challenge this head-on, improved accreditation standards are essential to bolster the credibility of assessments and minimise errors, biases, and discrepancies.”


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Beaver

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10:43 AM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

The last time I had an EPC assessment done I queried the recommendations using the email address provided by the EPC assessor on the EPC certificate, but received no reply. Can somebody please explain to me the variation in qualifications held by EPC assessors, e.g. what does Level 3 energy assessor versus Level 4 energy assessor mean in the context of assessing the energy performance of buildings?

Bruce

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11:04 AM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

So do you get a refund from the assessor that issued the incorrect review?

Jireh Homes

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12:03 PM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

Level 3 and 4 relate to Non-Domestic EPC assessors, there is no Level grading for Domestic Energy Assessors.

Beaver

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12:05 PM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jireh Homes at 23/04/2024 - 12:03
And what do these gradings mean?

DAMIEN RAFFERTY

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13:43 PM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

Desk top survey and lack of access to lofts and being unable to expose insulation in ceilings, walls and voids will always lead to low assessments.
EPC,s cost about £60/100 so what do you expect ?
Surveyors were charging more for a survey 20 years ago compared to today

Iris Sheriffs

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15:29 PM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

How can any assessment be accurate if an assessor doesn't even check the loft area for insulation?? Which is what happened on two of my properties and both had excellent loft insulation.
Agree completely that there needs to be consistency in this area

Simon Williams

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15:41 PM, 23rd April 2024, About 7 months ago

I rather like the fact that there is a wide difference of opinion amongst assessors. I noticed in one apartment block that most assessors were assessing flats as D but one assessor was awarding C. So I got that assessor who was awarding C to redo all my EPCs and sure enough they have all made a smooth transfer to C!! (And no, I didn't pay him any more than his standard fee.)

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