Foam loft insulation

idealhome2022

 Government still holding landlords to ransom to increase EPC ratings by insisting on foam loft installation but when you apply for their grant , have work completed by contractors on their list and then sell your home you find you can’t because mortgage companies won’t lend on it. We are in that situation and it’s going to cost approximately £5000 to remove it by same company that put it in. It complies with all regs and has a 25 year guarantee. We had perfectly good rockwool insulation removed but the government insisted on foam installation. It’s criminal. We have to have it removed to sell the property. Who can I hold accountable ? I need to sell property as mortgage has come to an end , tenants trashed house , I’m paying bills on an empty house and now have to pay £5000 to have insulation removed that the government insisted on !

Nearlyold

Who told you the Govt. insist on foam insulation in rentals? The rentals we have were insulated with Rockwool in the loft under a Grant Scheme, there was never a mention of foam being compulsory.

Section62

idealhome2022 said:

 Government still holding landlords to ransom to increase EPC ratings by insisting on foam loft installation but when you apply for their grant , have work completed by contractors on their list and then sell your home you find you can’t because mortgage companies won’t lend on it. We are in that situation and it’s going to cost approximately £5000 to remove it by same company that put it in. It complies with all regs and has a 25 year guarantee. We had perfectly good rockwool insulation removed but the government insisted on foam installation. It’s criminal. We have to have it removed to sell the property. Who can I hold accountable ? I need to sell property as mortgage has come to an end , tenants trashed house , I’m paying bills on an empty house and now have to pay £5000 to have insulation removed that the government insisted on !

It sounds like you may have been scammed.  I'm not sure I'd employ the same company to remove the suff if it was them that told you it was a good idea in the first place.

Contact your local trading standards department and ask them for advice.

Doozergirl

The government don't insist on any particular type of insulation. 

I think you've been had.  

Mr.Generous

If I was going to sell a rental why on earth would I put the insulation in that the govt insist upon for rentals? No one will buy it with the foam because they are aware of the risk of cowboy jobs and costly failure with removal charges. The govt are pressing for heat pumps, like most landlords I ignore this one. When the time comes for costly EPC changes I'll sell the lot.

FreeBear

Doozergirl said:

The government don't insist on any particular type of insulation. 

I think you've been had.  

I've had these spray foam outfits cold calling me to say fibreglass/rockwool insulation has been "deemed unfit for purpose" in recent reports. When asked for a copy of these reports, they usually hang up. If they try to claim that the government has mandated spray foam insulation, I will insist on seeing the document, otherwise it is just bulls***.

Spray foam insulation is another product promoted by the Property Care Association - That should tell you everything you need to know about the stuff !

MEM62

idealhome2022 said:

 Government still holding landlords to ransom to increase EPC ratings by insisting on foam loft installation 

No they don't.  

idealhome2022 said:

Who can I hold accountable ? 

Nobody.  It was your decision to have it installed and the issues with some mortgage lenders have been well documented for some time. 

idealhome2022 said:

I’m paying bills on an empty house and now have to pay £5000 to have insulation removed that the government insisted on !

When my parents had it removed from their house the cost was significantly less.  (About £3k two years ago  if memory serves)  

Olinda99

whoever told you the government insist on foam insulation is incorrect

Section62

FreeBear said:

Doozergirl said:

The government don't insist on any particular type of insulation. 

I think you've been had.  

I've had these spray foam outfits cold calling me to say fibreglass/rockwool insulation has been "deemed unfit for purpose" in recent reports. When asked for a copy of these reports, they usually hang up. If they try to claim that the government has mandated spray foam insulation, I will insist on seeing the document, otherwise it is just bulls***.

The often start the call introducing themselves as some kind of 'official' energy advice service, on a couple of occasions I've had calls where they went as far as saying they worked for the local council.  It isn't difficult to imagine that someone could be tricked into thinking this was something the government have mandated, despite having all the hallmarks of a scam.

Silvertabby

When we bought our (new build)  house 30 odd years ago the bedroom windows were in 4 glazed panels, with the two outer panels being the openers.

A few years later a gang of 'suited and booted' touts targetted our estate, insisting that new fire/building regulations made our bedroom windows illegal, and that we had, by law, to replace them immediately.  And it just so happened that the window company they represented could offer a special deal.....

FreeBear

Silvertabby said:

When we bought our (new build)  house 30 odd years ago the bedroom windows were in 4 glazed panels, with the two outer panels being the openers.

A few years later a gang of 'suited and booted' touts targetted our estate, insisting that new fire/building regulations made our bedroom windows illegal, and that we had, by law, to replace them immediately.  And it just so happened that the window company they represented could offer a special deal.....

The same charlatans that are now going round telling everyone that trickle vents are now mandatory ?

Some days, the clue by four just isn't enough.