Home described in EPC as having "Room in roof' loft, but I'm questioning if definition is correct

EzraHawkwind

A bit of a strange question, but has anyone recently had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) done, where the second storey of their house has been described as 'Room in roof', even though they don't believe it is? I'm trying to find out if there could be any implications as a result of this description? For example, because my house has been described as having a 'Room in roof' loft,  I'm not eligible for any loft insulation grants and also, it kind of makes it sound like a bungalow?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding, but it doesn't quite make sense to me. Many thanks for any input.

sammyjammy

I don't think the EPC will be altered by "a room in the roof", a room in a converted attic would normally be described in this way because it doesn't meet requirements to be called a bedroom for safety reasons e.g. no door or head height.

grumbler

EzraHawkwind said:

For example, because my house has been described as having a 'Room in roof' loft,  I'm not eligible for any loft insulation grants and also, it kind of makes it sound like a bungalow?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding, but it doesn't quite make sense to me.

It would make sense to explain what sort of house it really is. E.g. this one really can be described like above, and it's not a bungalow.

If yours has a loft converted, then hardly a surprise that it's not eligible for any loft insulation grants.

Grumpy_chap

EzraHawkwind said:

A bit of a strange question, but has anyone recently had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) done, where the second storey of their house has been described as 'Room in roof', even though they don't believe it is?

I'm trying to find out if there could be any implications as a result of this description?

For example, because my house has been described as having a 'Room in roof' loft,  I'm not eligible for any loft insulation grants and also, it kind of makes it sound like a bungalow?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding, but it doesn't quite make sense to me.

Many thanks for any input.

Can you give us a bit more to go on?
How would you describe your home? House, flat, bungalow, chalet bungalow, mansion, manor house, barn conversion...
How many rooms on each floor?
Is there a loft?
Does the loft cover the full roof area?
What is the access to the loft?
Is this an error in ticking the incorrect box by the EPC Assessor?

Hoenir

EzraHawkwind said:

For example, because my house has been described as having a 'Room in roof' loft,  I'm not eligible for any loft insulation grants and also, it kind of makes it sound like a bungalow?

Chalet style. How much accessible loft space do you have? Other than around the eaves. 

Chickereeeee

sammyjammy said:

I don't think the EPC will be altered by "a room in the roof", a room in a converted attic would normally be described in this way because it doesn't meet requirements to be called a bedroom for safety reasons e.g. no door or head height.

In UK usage (usually) a loft is the space under a pitched roof accessed by a loft ladder. An attic is a room in the roof space accessed by a staircase.

Often now corrupted by American usage, but I think it is a useful definition.

badmemory

My experience of an EPC is that they are not to be trusted.  When we sold my mother's house they insisted we have one.   It stated that the house had solid floors, it didn't & was very easy to prove.  They refused to correct it.  Try a different provider & the answers will probably completely different.

greyteam1959

Yes I agree.
EPC's are ridiculous.
I had an argument with the person that did my EPC.
He said a property of that age could not possibly have a cavity wall.
It flippin well has a cavity wall !!

grumbler

I've seen a report saying 'double glazing' when in fact it was single.

I think many of these 'surveyors' are charlatans. 'Assumed' is their favourite term.

EzraHawkwind

sammyjammy said:

I don't think the EPC will be altered by "a room in the roof", a room in a converted attic would normally be described in this way because it doesn't meet requirements to be called a bedroom for safety reasons e.g. no door or head height.

The windows come out of part of the roof (as in chalet style), but they're not part of a converted attic (I don't think?), as the house was built like that. 

EzraHawkwind

grumbler said:

EzraHawkwind said:

For example, because my house has been described as having a 'Room in roof' loft,  I'm not eligible for any loft insulation grants and also, it kind of makes it sound like a bungalow?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding, but it doesn't quite make sense to me.

It would make sense to explain what sort of house it really is. E.g. this one really can be described like above, and it's not a bungalow.

If yours has a loft converted, then hardly a surprise that it's not eligible for any loft insulation grants.

My house was built in the chalet style, so would the loft be classed as 'converted' when it was built, because I have not had it converted and the entrance to the loft is by putting a ladder there.