EPC expired so not eligible for green mortgage cashback

c1995

Good afternoon 

Part way through buying a flat with an energy rating of B. Our mortgage advisor pointed out that we could get a “green” mortgage with Halifax and would be eligible for £250 cashback on completion. Nice! 

So we had this confirmed and our mortgage offer complete. However Halifax lowered their rates this week so we swapped on to a lower interest rate. However the EPC has since expired so we are no longer eligible for the green mortgage and now have a standard one lined up. 

Should I ask the seller to get a new EPC? Or should I offer to foot the cost? They’re around £50 so we would net £200 with the cashback. 

BikingBud

How close to exchanging?

Are the vendors likely to comply? 

How much are you saving by being on a new preferential rate? £50 or £100 per month?

If so why bother for £200 on off payment?

And more importantly if it accurately recorded a B, enjoy the energy low costs. 

ComicGeek

If the original EPC was 10 years ago, then the updated one might not achieve a B rating as the calculations have changed since. If it was close to the B/C boundary before then it might be a long punt on £50.

dimbo61

Your vendors can't sell the property without a valid EPC
Contact your solicitor and point out that the EPC is now over 10 years old
See what happens

chanz4

myn was a new build, was a B, came to renew it now a c due to none smart stat they said to me the ones builders have done are not the same scoring

c1995

BikingBud said:

How close to exchanging?

Are the vendors likely to comply? 

How much are you saving by being on a new preferential rate? £50 or £100 per month?

If so why bother for £200 on off payment?

And more importantly if it accurately recorded a B, enjoy the energy low costs. 

At least 2 months I’d say. Enquires have just begun and it’s a leasehold. 

I can’t imagine they’d be happy paying for it but as I said I’d be happy to foot the cost, subject to them allowing access 

No preferential rate unfortunately. Just the cashback & potential for cashback when we sign a new fixed deal. 

£200 is £200 this is money saving expert 😀

yes this is a good point - thanks.  Very much looking forward to that coming from our rental which is E. 

ComicGeek said:

If the original EPC was 10 years ago, then the updated one might not achieve a B rating as the calculations have changed since. If it was close to the B/C boundary before then it might be a long punt on £50.

chanz4 said:

myn was a new build, was a B, came to renew it now a c due to none smart stat they said to me the ones builders have done are not the same scoring

This is true. Next door is also for sale and they’ve just had theirs redone and retained a B. The flat we’re buying was a score of 88 so in the higher end of B. 

dimbo61 said:

Your vendors can't sell the property without a valid EPC
Contact your solicitor and point out that the EPC is now over 10 years old
See what happens

Thanks. I did fire off an email to the solicitor and they came back to me Friday evening saying they wouldn’t usually be concerned about this, as long as it was in date when marketed. 

c1995

Hi all, for anyone interested, I mentioned the expired EPC to the estate agent and they immediately got the seller to renew it. This is now complete and our mortgage advisor is swapping us back onto a green mortgage. 👍