Can my property fail an EPC?

For sale purposes the answer is a definite no, the EPC is there to inform the potential buyer about the current running costs of the property and to offer recommendations for ways the property could be made more energy efficient and therefore reduce its running costs.

Thats said though, there is no doubt that buyers are becoming much more tuned into looking at property running costs nowadays. With energy prices now rising quickly and peoples generally more heightened awareness of ecological matters, there is more emphasis and notice taken of the EPC than possibly ever before, this makes trying to achieve the highest rating possible more important than ever.

It’s certainly worth thinking before you market your property whether there are any quick fixes you could make in order to try and raise your rating a little. Loft insulation is generally one of the cheapest and quickest ways to make a significant improvement in your rating. A lot of houses In the UK have 100-150mm of loft insulation, if you’re unsure what yours is then simply place a tape measure down the side of one of the joists and measure it, if you are at or under 150mm then adding another layer or two to bring it up to 270-300m makes a significant difference to your EPC rating.

Also making sure you have low energy light fittings in place is another quick fix, as is draught proofing your windows if they’re single glazed and also looking at cavity wall insulation if its suitable for your property and it isn’t already done.

These are all quick to have done, relatively inexpensive and when combined can have a major effect in upping your rating which in turn could have a significant effect in how quickly your property sells or what offers you receive.

For rental there is still no pass or fail as such but the governments Minimum Energy Efficiency standards require any property to be rented out to meet a minimum band ‘E’ EPC rating.

Remember though as a landlord, that although your property must achieve a band ‘E‘, that alone is not enough to necessarily make your property attractive to potential tenants. With rental costs rising, tenants are becoming increasingly aware of a property’s running costs and more expectations are being made of landlords to increase the energy efficiency of their properties to help avoid their tenants being drawn into fuel poverty.

Consider also that tenants who are struggling with fuel poverty are also more likely to end up in rent arrears, so by making your properties more energy efficient you are reducing the likelihood of your tenants defaulting on their rents, you are making your properties more attractive to future tenants and you are also likely increasing the value of the properties should you wish to sell them in the future.

Contact us.

NN Home Energy Surveys

12 Battle Close, Wootton
Northampton, NN4 6RP

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday

8am - 8pm / Sat 9am - 5pm

Tel: 07851 957628

Email: david@nnhes.co.uk