Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) -any use ?

mro

Are Energy Performance Certificates worth the paper they are written on ?

Are they really of any use ?

Davesnave

Depends. All those I've had (now 4) have been accurate and carried-out by people who actually knew what they were doing, but that's no guarantee that the typical assessor with a few days training will do a similar job!


At best, they will indicate houses where there is poor energy efficiency, and maybe difficulties too in improving things, but few people are so dull they wouldn't realise this for themselves.

ProDave

My observation is in general buyers ignore them. THEN complain the house is cold and damp and costs too much to heat. Probably the only buyers that take notice are landlords, but only because it soon won't be possible to let ones with a very poor EPC so they will avoid those.

Logic would say that a house with an EPC A should be worth more than an EPC E as it will cost a lot less to heat and will be more comfortable but it seems not at the moment.

Hasbeen

Only really accurate at time of inspection. And as they appear to be valid for 10 years, they do not show any improvements made after inspection.

Great for buyers who do not know what double glazing, cavity wall or any insulation etc is. But does show if you use LV lighting. Have solar panels and have a wind turbine strapped to the roof you might get your money back sometime this century?

I have valid one showing low as states no double glazing, there is now. No cavity wall insulation? there was. And inadequate loft insulation? there was.

So my opinion not worth the paper they are written on.

Hasbeen

ProDave wrote: »

My observation is in general buyers ignore them. THEN complain the house is cold and damp and costs too much to heat. Probably the only buyers that take notice are landlords, but only because it soon won't be possible to let ones with a very poor EPC so they will avoid those.

Logic would say that a house with an EPC A should be worth more than an EPC E as it will cost a lot less to heat and will be more comfortable but it seems not at the moment.

Totally agree all renters I have known, are not interested in the report or all the content. As they have eyes and rent the property on how good it is.

Would think though that if buyers did not buy because of report, then Landlords will buy cheap and upgrade to rent out resulting in less properties to buy but more to rent?