Epc

missminx

Hi all. In my naivety I wasn't aware that EPC existed. Should the landlord have made this available to us legally, or is it just good practice?
We want to discuss the insullation and the highly ineffective boiler with them. They have been ripped off by an OFTEC registered technician who has billed them for servicing the boiler, but he didn't do it! The boiler is using A LOT of oil £30+ per week and isn't very effective anyway. :mad: They have now said we can get another person to look at the boiler, so going to try and arrange that tomorrow, but lord knows when they'll have time to come.

There is also a lack of effective insullation. Am I right in thinking I could do this tactfully by pointing out that if they were to put insullation in for us they could reclaim up to £1500 against their tax bill?? They seem nice enough and I want to do this all peacefully. We want to stay long term, and they wanted that as it's just hassle for them changing over so they prefer it too. We have conrtributed to improving the house and they are happy with that.
Any advice gratefully accepted.

**Have found that we may be able to get a grant to do this ourselves (with LL permission). Anyone got any advice on this? We are located in Wales

G_M

Yes, EPC is a requirement when marketing a property for renting. However in my opinion they are pretty useless!

Your approach seems fair. If the technician did not actually service the boiler, I as a landlord would certainly be grateful to a tenant who told me.

Are you receiving any benefits? It may entitle you (and the Landlord) to subsidy for insulation and/or boiler upgrade. See here.

Failing this, your approach to the LL seems reasonable.

An alternative (if you get nowhere) would be to offer to do the insulation yourself, with LL permission and if possible LL to cover cost of materials. Insulation is regularly discounted by B&Q and similar. It's a bit messy but easy and cheap to install.

ps - not sure where you get £1500 from. Loft insulation? Costs nothing like this! Cavity wall insulation maybe I guess.

missminx

G_M wrote: »

ps - not sure where you get £1500 from. Loft insulation? Costs nothing like this! Cavity wall insulation maybe I guess.

I read somewhere they could claim 'up to' £1500 for insullation and improvements. Can't remember the exact wording, but they could claim it back via tax allowance or something. It seemed to include wall insullation and some other bits, but it was the roof bit I was looking at.

Thanks for the advice

ps I tried the link to warm fron, but that is only England. Am looking now to find similar or Wales.

tbs624

missminx wrote: »

I read somewhere they could claim 'up to' £1500 for insullation and improvements. Can't remember the exact wording, but they could claim it back via tax allowance or something. It seemed to include wall insullation and some other bits, but it was the roof bit I was looking at.

It's LESA - LLs Energy Saving Allowance, available until 2015

LL can set down costs of:

1. cavity wall/loft insulation,post 06/04/04
2. solid wall insulation, post 06/04/05
3. draught proofing & hot water system insulation, post 06/04/06
4. floor insulation, post 06/04/07

against rental income.

Richard_Webster

EPC would not tell you that the boiler worked only that if it did, then it would be of very good/good/average/poor energy efficiency depending on type.

Energy Inspectors aren't supposed to check whether things work!