Surely I am not the only landlord worried about new EPC requirements?

Surely I am not the only landlord worried about new EPC requirements?

9:44 AM, 17th February 2021, About 4 years ago 154

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Hello, I was wondering if Property118 could shed some light on the new proposed changes to the EPC requirements – my understanding is that over the next few years 2025 onwards, properties in the PRS have to be rated a C as a minimum. Currently, has to be above an E.

My worry is that the government seems to be applying this rule to all properties regardless of age, although I think it may be different if it is listed. It is not difficult for a new property to meet the requirements of a C or about.

However, as the owner of several Victorian terraces, it is much more difficult if not impossible to get this rating. For example, we do not have cavity walls. I have done all the usual things like loft insulation, double glazing, energy-efficient boilers etc etc but other suggested improvements seem to be a lot of outlay for very little impact on the EPC.

For example, I think the only improvement that has been suggested is using solar panels, but the property is not suitable for solar panels.  I am concerned that I may not be able to meet the new requirements despite my best efforts.

Surely I am not the only landlord who is worried about this?

Is there a campaign to ask for property age to be taken into consideration?

Thank you

Su


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Trapped Landlord

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19:22 PM, 18th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ben Perkins at 18/02/2021 - 17:45
Then I think this kills the conversation completely as external wall insulation seems the favourite method and this costs well over £3500.

Trapped Landlord

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19:26 PM, 18th February 2021, About 4 years ago

We have had internal wall insulation carried out on a few flats under grants. Not a great experience. Shoddy, messy work and decorators need to go in once the skim dries to make good. Not to mention, sending a joiner in to refit the skirting boards and architraves !!

Saul Smart

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22:48 PM, 18th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John at 18/02/2021 - 10:19
I think you are oversymplifying the hydrogen to natural gas issue. I work in a sector that is focused on alternative carbon neutral energy. Obviously we have brown , blue and green hydrogen. At the moment most hydroduction production is produced by fossil fuels usage thereby defeating the object. Also the matural gas network is not suitable in its current form for hydrogen distribution.

I am hoping over the next ten years that we will achieve green hydrogen (produced from renewable sources carbon neutral) and they will find a way to make our gas distribution suitable for hydrogen. Im pretty much banking on it. Lot happening behind the scenes with research which isn't publucly seen 'in the papers'. There is also a lot of money and politics involved in this big business so the best answer may not be the one that wins out. As you may have worked out im a hydrogen fan

Esat Karahasan

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22:55 PM, 18th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 18/02/2021 - 22:48
Before that happens most landlords will have a ground/air source heat pump installed, it’s currently one of the improvements gaining the highest ratings when producing EPCs and not hugely expensive so most will find exemption won’t apply and once gas boilers go out the window it will be that or electric High Heat Retention Storage Heaters.

John

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7:17 AM, 19th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul landlord at 18/02/2021 - 22:48
Have you seen the video on the h21 project?

Hydrogen in homes is this moment being tested and worked on. It looks like it is a given. Yes there are problems but there are big interests behind this as you say.

Have you watched the interview with Worcester Bosch which I linked to above. They talk about all the issues but are over coming them.

John

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7:21 AM, 19th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Esat Karahasan at 18/02/2021 - 22:55
Watch the skill builder interview

Worcester make heat pumps but they are saying they are useless for retrofit basically. Perfect for new build.

In a test scheme people were given the option of taking up a free heat pump system and I think they got 10 takers out if a few hundred offered. The disruption on retrofit is to high.

Hydrogen is the answer it seems

Reluctant Landlord

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10:47 AM, 19th February 2021, About 4 years ago

I'm just going down the road of asking the Council if I need permission for external wall insulation. Cavity insulation is not an option any my flats are all solid walls and there is NO way I want the hassle of internal insulation. My properties are old quirky flats so internal insulation is not only going to cause way too much disruption, but also have the effect of reducing room sizes. If they say no (as I'm in a heritage area) I can't see what other primary measures are possible. Can't do ground source heat pumps (they are flats above shops), there is no gas supply to them, and solar panels on roof??
The whole EPC rating to level C is a joke. One size does not fit all. Looks like a whole raft of exemptions are going to be applied for!

Esat Karahasan

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11:15 AM, 19th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John at 19/02/2021 - 07:21
The problem is this when it comes to what this discussion has now turned into:

A need to achieve a certain rating and the fact that the EPC assessment and software grades a property based on installed items, not how well they work in a given environment!

Basically a heat pump will have certain number of SAP points, as a retrofit it may not work so well, but having one would grade the property higher either way.

Heather G.

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12:52 PM, 19th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by John Allies at 17/02/2021 - 12:32
I heard that they're talking about limiting it to a maximum expenditure of £10,000 every 5 years! £2,000pa per property indefinitely. For those with cheap houses up north, netting £200-£300 pm, this would likely wipe them out completely.

Trapped Landlord

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12:56 PM, 19th February 2021, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Heather G. at 19/02/2021 - 12:52
How do you mean 10k per 5 years, is this kind of work not more of a 1 off expense ? i.e. external wall insulation, air source ect ect

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