Incorrect HIP/EPC - discovered after moving in

Richard_Webster

I knew this would happen.

The government came up with half-baked scheme to train a lot of energy assessors to do EPCs. They are not chartered surveyors so their ability to diagnose faults etc will be limited. In a lot of cases they have to make assumptions.

I am just surprised that so many people have added to this thread taking the EPCs so seriously. When I get a copy of an EPC on a purchase I send it to my client telling him not to take any of it seriously - especially predicted savings resulting from carrying out certain works. At best the graphs are a general overall indication of the energy efficiency of the property as a a whole, but taking the constituent parts of the calculations too literally is unwise.

The first EPC I ever had anything to do with was in relation to a family property with an oil central heating system that we knew scarcely heated anything. The energy inspector came out and rated it as "average" because that was the rating for that type of oil boiler. They weren't supposed to check how well it functioned. That alone is a demonstration of how stupid and really useless the system is.

If the DEA "assumed" that there was a cavity wall it is likely that he was allowed to do that under the rules governing the way EPCs are to be produced.

G_M

EPCs, like HIPs are a complete waste of time.

Ignore them.

OP - get on with living in, or improving if you wish, your new home.

G_M

tbs624 wrote: »

Interesting to read your post but you may want to remove/edit your sig for future posts - see Forum FAQs;

"MoneySavingExpert.com is an ad free site - you cannot pay to buy space - one of the reasons why so many people use it! Equally you are not allowed to advertise any goods, services and/or companies anywhere on the forum, or through private messages (PMs), no matter how honourable the intention.

'Advertising' includes touting for business; asking people to contact you; posting e-mail addresses which indicate a web address; linking to sites you or friends are involved in (whether you’re selling something or not), or to your eBay or other auction sales."

Hi tbs - next time you make a (valid) point like this you might want to remove the OP's advertising yourself!

The OP has amended his sig - now YOU need to amend your post!

smithdown

Homersimpson wrote: »

I think that as the original post related to the EPC and as the statement for cavity walls included the word assumed I think the OP was on dicey ground.

If your survey says cavity walls and the surveyor visited the property then he wants sacking as its the most basic thing to tell on a house when its not rendered (As yours doesn't appear to be from what you have said). I would definatly write to the surveyor and raise this point although I doubt they would be able to do much about it i.e. they won't pay for you to have internal or external insulation applied but you might get the surveyors fee refunded.

Thanks for the reply Homer.
I have written to the surveyor asking for an explanation, but you have described what happened exactly - he came, saw the brickwork (it's only half rendered) and mistook/assumed it was cavity wall. The EPC says the same thing, but as pointed out this is often assumed for EPCs (which is stupid as it means they rarely reflect reality, but that is another rant for another day). Either the surveyor is wrong, or the cavity wall insulation guy (and everyone on the internet) is wrong.

I can't seem to find any guidance online about your consumer rights if a homebuyer survey is incorrect. I understand you have to prove a financial loss (which I think I have, in my post above).

I'll post again when I hear back from the surveyors.

Nuttyneddy

Smithdown I see that this is not the case with your problem, as it is your survey which is incorrect, but surely in the OP's case he would not be able to sue the EPC company as he didn't commission the EPC himself?

smithdown

Yes, I think you're right Nuttyneddy. Which kind of defeats the point of an EPC. They're not based on reality because they assume so much, and even if they're wrong you can't challenge them because you didn't pay for it. Utterly useless.