Brain dead EPC assessor?

Something that annoyed me yesterday. Had an EPC assessor perform an EPC check on a property, (tenants were there not me). I checked the result and it says pitched roof/no insulation assumed. This had brought it down to a D rather than what would have been a C.

I queried this today with assessor firm and assessor said was unable to get access as items in way of hatch.

When did common sense stop being a thing? The assessor didn’t even mention it to tenants, tenants would’ve literally pushed a few things out of way in a matter of seconds. Its literally a joke! Do they give them a lobotomy before they send them out checking??

The last assessment done by them even states it has loft insulation!

What firm is that, please?

Its vital for the landord to always be present for an EPC assessment if they want a sensible result.

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Yes we should always assume professionals are in fact professional idiots.

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Prefer not to say yet.

I 2nd that . I have always been at a place to open up a floor, supply loft access , a torch, stepladders ,explanations etc open enclosed areas, Got a C rating on all my places

Yes it’s tragic that we have to wet nurse people doing their job. The first time I’m not there they mess up.

A more honest assessment would’ve been to say they don’t give an opinion if they can’t access the roof insulation, as it is so fundamental. How can you possibly do an EPC assessment if you don’t understand how the property is insulated

Yes this is true, such a critical thing which could have been resolved in literally 2 minutes by applying one ounce of thought.

The loft was fully accessible, it’s just that she (the assessor) was unwilling to make the effort.

EPCs are not fit for purpose

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I think the reason you were asked who they are so other LL don’t use the same idiot!!! Get it redone foc

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That was precisely the reason. Well guessed. We can share our bad EPC experience, too. Problem is you can be sued for libel.

Clearly. After reminding them of their incompetence and backing them into a corner they have agreed to revisit at no cost.

It’s a national firm but it’s really down to the regional assessor.

Let’s see what the outcome is and I’ll post.

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How much did it cost, if I may ask? Or am I being too personal again?

This will make them sound even worse!…it’s actually already a free retest because they did it 8 years ago and wrongly classified the property type at the time. (Semi rather than maisonette)….before I bought property. Being wrongly classified in this instance would have obviously lowered the rating.

It was a D so never been an issue but with the C requirement coming up I looked closer at ratings. They said needed to do a retest due to how much time has passed, so I took them up on their free offer.

I get the impression they would be expensive but actually don’t know.

I have a regular one man band assessor that I usually use and he charges £55 for a 1 bed and £70 for a 3 bed.

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Sounds like you’re due a credit too for the first one.

You can only be sued for libel if your facts are not true

First was done before purchase and second at no cost.

If the requirement for a C grade is not amended we will see most tenants under the bridge.
Old houses cannot be insulated without risk of condensation etc in the wrong places

As a second point the EPC assessors do not measure anything. They guess and assume.
It’s interesting to compare adjacent property ratings.
Over to you Mr Gove!

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I cannot agree with the above comment I am a Landlord/ builder and have some 100 year old properties …I have achieved a C on all of them because I know how to do it . I have no condensation problems. My EPC girl was very good and measured the insulation, as I had left certain areas exposed for that purpose. Down to common sense between parties concerned. If you cover everything up , then they cannot see it

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Did you line the inner walls?
I’ve been warned against doing that because the dew point would be inside the brick wall and cause damp problems.
Re your assessor: she is the example that others should follow.