EPC for warm home discount

Bjdav65

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

Spoonie_Turtle

The Warm Home Discount isn't based on EPC rating.  It is based on age, type, and size of the property in which you live. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales

I don't know what the helpline was talking about, but it seems to be not actually very helpful for a fair few people.

Muttleythefrog

You can get an EPC for probably as little as £40 to £50.. typically a bit more... maybe £70 average?

But I would look at other threads relating to the WHD scheme this year because you may find the EPC no help when you get it as you may still not qualify for the WHD. The WHD is typically automatically paid if the data used means you/ your property meet the criteria and all an EPC may do is give data to confirm non entitlement. The scheme essentially is set up to help those in need with properties that would be costly to heat due to size and energy inefficiency. As a result many who historically got the WHD now will not - myself included as moved to a modern flat.

P.S. If your home is similarly constructed to neighbours and has similar features like modern GCH, cavity walls with insulation etc, then have a look at their EPCs on the register for an idea as to what yours may be like in terms of size (if you don't know already) and energy efficiency. https://find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-a-certificate/search-by-postcode?lang=en&property_type=domestic

HillStreetBlues

What the are after is information that is on the EPC, floor area, property type. so if you can show this any other I believe  that counts.

The WHD  for 22/23 is a disgrace. Clearly not ready to be implemented, but was done anyway.

Bjdav65

Thanks for all the replays.  I have looked at the EPC on my neighbours house which is identical to mine and has a rating D.  But whatever I said to the unhelpful person on the phone she just kept saying without an EPC I can't claim.

HillStreetBlues

Bjdav65 said:

Thanks for all the replays.  I have looked at the EPC on my neighbours house which is identical to mine and has a rating D.  But whatever I said to the unhelpful person on the phone she just kept saying without an EPC I can't claim.

It's not the rating they look at it's other info on the EPC

https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount

Go onto above link, it should tell you if you should get it
If so the checker will ask for postcode as you property doesn't have a EPC  
Click on "enter your property details manually".
Then fill out form with what your know, and use your neighbours info as it's the same  for what you don't know

Bjdav65

Yes I have done that and it says I'm eligible and if I haven't received a letter by mid January to phone the helpline.  That's what I done and was just told that without an EPC I am not able to claim.

HillStreetBlues

Done some further reading
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales

If a household has not been found to be low income and high cost, and is therefore not eligible for an automatic rebate, the customer may call a government Warm Home Discount helpline to determine their eligibility as part of the ‘sweep up’ process. The customer will be able to use an EPC (for any property characteristic) or Land Registry data (for property type) to recalculate their energy cost score and therefore whether they are considered as having high energy costs.

From what I have read if you have been denied the WHD  and  you believe you should have there is no way to appeal that decision.
You have go though the sweep up, and for that you do need a EPC for your property, and need to claim by the 28th Feb.
I can't say if you should or shouldn't get one, but one thing to remember that if everything stays the same for 23/24 you might have the same problem.

If you do decide to get one you can use this Government site
https://www.gov.uk/get-new-energy-certificate

When I wanted one I emailed the different names and picked the cheapest,  but you would also have to take into account the time-frame. But it is up to you how you choose one.

Spoonie_Turtle

HillStreetBlues said:

Done some further reading
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales

"If a household has not been found to be low income and high cost, and is therefore not eligible for an automatic rebate, the customer may call a government Warm Home Discount helpline to determine their eligibility as part of the ‘sweep up’ process. The customer will be able to use an EPC (for any property characteristic) or Land Registry data (for property type) to recalculate their energy cost score and therefore whether they are considered as having high energy costs."

Ohhh *that's* why they ask for an EPC.

The process mentioned before your quoted paragraph though should have picked up the property in the first place.  That is incredibly unfair if people's properties are slipping through the cracks and they miss out because the cost of an EPC is a barrier - that's one reason why it was decided not to use EPCs as a factor in the calculation in the first place!

@bjdav65 maybe you should consider getting your MP involved.  For reference, this is the process that was supposed to be used if the VOA had any information missing:

"Where any of the property characteristic data is missing, BEIS will run an imputation process to determine the characteristic using other methods and sources. If the property has an eligible type recorded in the Ordnance Survey data, this will be used to inform the imputation. Otherwise, the property type and property age will be calculated by analysing the property’s nearest neighbours or, failing that, the most common characteristic for similar properties within the same Local Authority. If a property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), BEIS will use a random forest method to impute the floor area. Otherwise, the floor area will also be imputed by analysing the most common floor area for similar properties within the same Local Authority."

So if your property should qualify based on your neighbour's EPC info, clearly something has gone wrong with that process, and it's impacting you.  And if it's happened to you, it's almost certain it's happening to other people as well, and those other people might not be in a position to verify whether they should qualify or not.  And if nothing changes, it will keep happening every year.

I know you've used the eligibility checker already but it's not infallible, so can we just check before you decide whether to pursue it further, do you definitely claim a qualifying benefit?

HillStreetBlues

It's a total and utter disgrace.
If they make a mistake the only way to fix their mistake is to pay £50-£150 (not sure max cost)  and this is a benefit for the most needy.

What they need to be doing, if because of their mistake a person needs a EPC, and is found entitled to a WHD  then the cost of the EPC should be refunded.

Bjdav65

I receive working tax credits and was receiving child tax credit until end August 2022. (My son is 18). These are qualifying benefits.
My son receives PIP but apparently that isn't a qualifying benefit.
I think if an EPC is going to cost more than about £50 I would probably not bother as I may just end up paying out for something that makes no difference.