Redoing EPC Ratings in Flats, huh?

Hello...

Kind of an odd question but I don't really know how these things work and I don't know if I'm just being suspicious or what.

I live in an apartment complex owned by the same company (about 50 or so flats) I was sent an email earlier on in the week saying they are sending around a company representative to update the EPC's. Is this not the energy rating of appliances? In my head I thought if something is rated A they'd do some sort of testing to see if it's still at an A then do a report. 

The man came in and said he needed to take a picture of the boiler. I had some items stored in there so I moved them, he seemed surprised that I moved them. But how was he to take a picture if some of it was in the way of the boiler to take a pic? Then he took a pic of the shower then went in the livingroom and took a picture. I asked what he took a picture of he said the radiator which our couch is in front of and you can barely see. I then ask him why he's wearing gloves and he says because he's gotten an eye infection. Then he left. No paperwork on him. Didn't see a company logo on his name badge. They are suppose to be here today and tomorrow. So curious if he comes again tomorrow.

See this back in the US would be pretty suspect. It would make you think someone is coming in to see what you have, seeing if you're home during the day to case the place and leaving no fingerprints.

But things work differently here. How does taking pictures of the shower, boiler and one radiator update an EPC report? I feel like I"m taking crazy pills here and totally don't understand this.

I agree with you that it could well be dodgy, but not necessarily.  Why don't you call the management association for the flats (I assume they sent the email) and talk to them?  Chances are, the kind of criminals that would try to talk their way into your flat with some kind of fake excuse aren't going to organise an email first,

I should imagine by now you've gotten your answer, but in future check with your landlord if anyone wants to come in and you aren't sure they're supposed to be there.

But for the sake of others moving over, and EPC rating is for the energy efficiency of the entire house/flat. They check the Windows, insulation, boiler, radiators, if there's a thermostat, what the house is made of, even whatlightbulbs are used. They then make a report based on all the info they've gathered, and give the property an energy rating along with suggestions for improvements, if needed.

I wish we had it here in the US. The first house we rented was super cheap in a really nice area. We found out why after moving in: $400/mo heating cooling bills! 😮

Our village was hit last year by well-organised "outer wall insulation specialists". Had the van and little shirts and stuff...went around quoting really nice prices for filling in the blocks with foam....even had a laptop hooked up to a little camera thingy they would drill and feed into your outer wall to show you before and after footage. Big noisy pump they used to spray the stuff in. Nice hard-working young guys.

All completely dummied up.

An EPC must be done in a rental property every 10 years. Normally, a landlord will do it while the property is empty between tenants. But if the tenants are long term, or they do them as an entire block, they have to be done while tenanted. It literally is a 5-10 minute job. Boiler, Windows, doors, insulation etc. Usually take the photos and do the paperwork electronically.

I work for a housing association and that's how we do it in house. X

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