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Houses with good EPCs sell for more, claims government
19 Jun 2013
Homes with good EPCs are worth on average 14% more.
This claim – which is interesting, since our readers constantly tell us that no one looks at EPCs when buying – comes from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which says that making energy improvements to a property could boost its value by even more than the average, by as much as 38%.
For an average home, improving its EPC from band G to E, or from band D to B, could mean adding more than £16,000 to the sale price of the property.
In the North-East, improved energy efficiency from band G to E could increase this value by over £25,000 and the average home in the North-West could see £23,000 added to its value.
The DECC's report, which took into account over 300,000 property sales in England between 1995 and 2011, says that its research ‘indicates’ that energy efficiency is now a key factor influencing the sale price of most residential dwellings in England.
Energy and Climate Change minister Greg Barker said: “We have long known the benefits of making energy saving improvements to the home, but this study is real evidence of the huge potential rewards.
G is for Gas Safety
18 Apr 2012
In 2012 we want to give you the A-Z of reasons why scottfraser should be your agent of choice.
In December 2010 the Health and Safety Executive released a Safety Notice to raise awareness of the potential dangers from certain types of flues connected to gas-fired central heating installations. Landlords are obliged to take action before the 31 December 2012. That’s why our G is for Gas Safety.
Where boilers are located away from external walls, flues are more likely to run through ceiling (or wall) voids. In such cases when the gas appliance is serviced or maintained it can be difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether the flue has been installed correctly or whether it is still in good condition.
Unless the gas engineer can make these checks they cannot ensure that the flue from the boiler is safe in order to comply with their legal obligations and will not be able to issue a Gas Safety Certificate.
If the flue is not inspected and a fault overlooked, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) could be released into the living accommodation. CO is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poinsonous gas. It stops the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues and organs and can kill quickly, without warning.
After 31 December 2012 the gas engineer will not carry out the inspection if hatches have not been installed.
Our in-house property managers are contacting any scottfraser landlords who have properties requiring hatch installations. If you are concerned about this update to legislation please contact our Branch Managers for impartial advice or take a look at the gas safety pages of our website.
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