UK Landlord Forum / Life

My rental (2 bed terrace) is currently EPC E.

The EPC certificate states that the only way to get it up to a C is to install solar panels, cavity wall insulation (even though Victorian terraces don't have cavity walls) and heat pumps etc.

But I checked out the neighbouring properties' EPCs and a few of them are rated C and the only difference is they have loft insulation and/or room thermostats. Has anyone else come across this?

As Hippogriff says on the other thread, this isn't something you need necessarily worry about while you have tenants in situ.

EPCs are an inexact science and results vary from assessor to assessor. Clearly it is possible to reach a C rating if neighbouring properties have managed it. Top up your loft insulation, fit TRVs to all the rads, make sure you've got low-energy lights throughout ... and use the same assessor as the neighbours did.

If your current EPC recommends cavity insulation and a heat pump then that's a mite surprising. What does it list your wall type as? If you've currently go mains gas central heating then a heat pump would actually make your EPC rating worse at the moment.

Ok, just had a look and you're right, it doesn't say heat pump. It says "Step 5: Flue gas heat recovery device in conjunction with boiler"- I mixed this up with a heat pump.
It does say cavity wall insulation is needed, which is crazy seeing as it doesn't have any cavity walls. Also solar water and solar panels needed to get it to a C!

Hi, I just wanted to update this thread in case it helps anyone. Had a new EPC done yesterday and it's gone from an E to a C! It feels like exam results day with a much-wanted grade 😁

The changes I had made were installing a new condensing combi boiler (did this when I first bought the property 7 years ago), increasing low energy lighting from 67% to 100% and installing 300mm loft insulation from the previous zero.

Good news.

Some worthwhile changes.

Thanks for updating.

What a relief for you.I am starting to think that there has been a lot of scaremongering going on,and some landlords may well regret jumping the gun and selling up.Of course,none of this helps tenants either.