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David Bennett

Energy assessor

6534 Profile Views

About Me

Energy assessor providing EPCs for residential and commercial properties. Recommended by some 30 estate agents (Commercial and residential) and solicitors, covering Melksham, Corsham, Chippenham, Calne, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath and all the villages in between. Always happy to advise.

my expertise in the industry

Accredited, insured and DBS checked. Over 30 years in property.

David's Recent Activity

Presumably mSix&Partners were free!

From: David Bennett 15 December 2023 11:31 AM

JP - unless retro-fitted, it is a reasonable assumption that a suspended timber floor is unlikely to have insulation. If done, locate the evidence?

From: David Bennett 08 December 2023 12:21 PM

Why not call the assessor that produced your EPC and have a constructive chat about viable, cost effective improvements. Understanding the EPC is a good start. If the first Recommendation is for floor insulation, you probably have suspended timber, which will be ventilated, to prevent rot, but provide a cold, potentially draughty floor, causing your heating system to work overtime, at great expense. Draught proofing to windows and doors, is the most cost effective improvement. Changing light bulbs to LED is a minimal improvement, as they only tend to be on in the rooms you occupy, unlike a shop or office, where lights on all the time. Why would you change them back? Yes, the EPC is about to be updated and more complex, ultimately costing more to produce. There will be more Recommendations to consider.

From: David Bennett 08 December 2023 12:18 PM

spray foam applied to the roof rafters is carried out by an unregulated industry, mis-sold to gullible home owners and will be the next PPI scandal

From: David Bennett 19 August 2023 11:26 AM

The EPC is a blunt tool and is still disregarded by many. In my experience, as an energy assessor of both domestic and commercial property, those that run them down, usually chose not to understand them or can't be bothered. "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it". The domestic EPC simply records what is at the property, on the day of the visit and the system makes recommendations/suggestions as to what might be done, to improve the energy efficiency. Lighting in homes makes very little difference to the Rating, because most of us turn off lights, in rooms we are not occupying. With commercial buildings, lighting makes a huge difference to the Rating, because in shops, factories etc, the lights are always on.

From: David Bennett 27 July 2023 10:48 AM

Explain. Very sensible piece. Many of my portfolio LLs have done just what MG has done. As an energy assessor, I provide draft EPCs, to advise on the most cost effective improvements, to meet MEES. Perhaps you don't bother and regularly whinge on here.

From: David Bennett 12 May 2023 10:52 AM

James Fraser, you have had an even worse day at the office. In your first paragraph, there will be good reasons why there was a difference in Ratings. It has nothing to do with light bulbs! I am an energy assessor and find it so depressing that those that don't understand an EPC, are the ones that make uninformed comments, as they think they are being funny.

From: David Bennett 16 November 2022 23:45 PM

Had a bad day at the office, Barry X. Conspiracy theorist. Made me laugh.

From: David Bennett 16 November 2022 23:33 PM

Suggest you talk to the energy assessor that produced the EPC. Details are at the end of the report. They will explain the difference in Ratings. As an observation, a 'B' Rating is expected for a new build, as an on construction SAP EPC is produced. I suspect the RdSAP EPC was c 4-5 SAP points lower, now being a 'C' Rating.

From: David Bennett 16 November 2022 23:27 PM

Using windows as an example to criticise the EPC, is unhelpful and demonstrates a lack of understanding. Windows fitted from 2002 will comply with Building Regs and therefore have a reflective coating such as Pilkington K. That would still be true if fitted today. Where insulation (loft, cavity wall or solid wall) is carried out or a new boiler/heating system fitted, then the EPC Rating will greatly improve. It was unfortunate that when the EPC was born, estate gents were the chosen vehicle to promote them, but in my experience, most were just not interested and certainly had no training, so have tended to rubbish the EPC, due to lack of understanding. Let's face it, estate agents sell property, not EPCs, so why would they be interested. Home owners tend to come across an EPC when selling, whereas landlords will already be aware. It is the letting agents responsibility to educate them or get their preferred EPC provider to guide them, to achieve cost effective improvements, to meet MEES.

From: David Bennett 16 November 2022 09:58 AM

Peter. Talk to your preferred energy assessor/EPC provider and they will explain the position with regards to electric heating. Any heating using electric during the day, is on full rate charge, whereas Economy 7 uses night time, cheap rate electricity. The Dimplex Quantum High Heat Retention Storage Heaters (HHRSHs) are highly efficient. Your trusted electrician will explain the difference between normal storage heaters and HHRSHs.

From: David Bennett 28 March 2022 08:28 AM

I understand the benefits of a pet, but It must be the LL's choice whether or not to allow them, in their property. When you own the home, it's your choice. It may restrict the number of interested tenants, but at least the accommodation won't smell of wet dog or cat pee! Perhaps liken no pets to no smoking! In blocks of flats, the head lease does not permit pets, to alleviate noise nuisance for others. When did you last see a dog wipe its paws, before padding mud up the communal stairs. not at the LL's expense.

From: David Bennett 17 June 2021 11:01 AM

What is '100% unrealistic in expectation?'.

From: David Bennett 19 May 2021 16:14 PM

Nice April Fool.

From: David Bennett 01 April 2021 10:28 AM

Typical Opposition sound bytes to grab headlines, without having to back them up. Private tenants are either in work or furloughed, so if the latter have been on 80% salary, with no reason to spend on holidays, meals out, gym etc, why can't they pay the rent and bills.

From: David Bennett 22 March 2021 12:24 PM

We have 2x buy to let flats and in both cases the head lease for each building does not permit pets, so amending an an AST to permit pets, would be illegal. Now, some small pets are quiet, well behaved and never have to leave the flat, so would probably go unnoticed and not annoy the neighbours. I've never seen a dog wipe it's paws or the owner clean up the communal areas, after a wet, muddy walk. Why should others have to pay for that.

From: David Bennett 05 March 2021 09:05 AM

They are going to get wet!

From: David Bennett 20 August 2020 14:33 PM

As soon as they are open, let's all book tables at restaurants, have expensive meals with the best wines and when presented with the bill, plead Covid-19 and refuse to pay! Why do tenants think that having had the roof over their head, it is ok not to pay the rent.

From: David Bennett 01 July 2020 15:24 PM

Accountants can still go to the office, as they are considered 'essential'. Over to you, until the guidance changes.

From: David Bennett 24 March 2020 12:56 PM

1st April was no joke. MEES was introduced. It was Easter Sunday! One or two boards in a street is one thing, but numerous boards, is unsightly and unnecessary. Many are not legitimately advertising anything, except the agent, for some free advertising. Who needs boards in the age of Rightmove and a mobile phone!

From: David Bennett 13 June 2018 20:20 PM

According to their website, this is for non-domestic buildings

From: David Bennett 22 March 2018 19:50 PM

From: David Bennett 29 January 2018 13:10 PM

I am confused. How are the deposits protected, if you buy premium bonds with the tenant's money? The idea of a deposit scheme is to put the money into it.

From: David Bennett 29 January 2018 12:49 PM

RLA should work with the government of the day, not aspire to one that isn't. RLA should be non-political.

From: David Bennett 22 January 2018 07:51 AM

Of course, rental behavior should count towards a credit rating

From: David Bennett 15 December 2017 08:04 AM

.... a spell checker, JP! You are right.

From: David Bennett 18 November 2017 08:52 AM

We have had EPCs for 10 years and yet many agents still don't understand them. With MEES coming in April 18, if you haven't had a chat with your EPC provider, now would be a good time, as your clients will be relying on you to guide them. F and G Rated properties will need attention. Wall insulation (external, internal or cavity wall) is not the only energy saving option. If a landlord wants top rent, they need to ensure they are providing the best. What's the problem?

From: David Bennett 17 November 2017 08:10 AM

Well done Walsall Council. The first of many. Encouragement to LLs to improve the overall comfort of their tenants.

From: David Bennett 16 November 2017 07:58 AM

Your comment suggests, that like most estate agents, perhaps you neither care about or choose not to understand the purpose of the EPC. Why not ask your EPC provider to have a chat with you and explain or advise? The Green Deal has landlord written all over it and with the resurrection of the Green Deal Finance company, there is no excuse not to have relevant energy improvements carried out. As an energy assessor, I look at all ages of property. One of my largest clients has in excess of 100 properties and is working through a managed programme of energy improvements. Typically 300 year old, non-listed cottages, which we get up to a min Rating of E or D. A new boiler and loft insulation usually does the trick. Perhaps you are taking advise from the wrong people?

From: David Bennett 10 July 2017 09:06 AM

Bring back a regulated HIPs, provided only by conveyancing solicitors. With the resurrection of The Green Deal Finance Company, letting agents should embrace the EPC and guide their landlords to readily available finance, to bring their drafty and energy inefficient investments, into the 21st Century.

From: David Bennett 21 June 2017 12:25 PM

It's a no brainer for landlords, as the payments are collected via the electricity meter. However, the interest rate needs to be more attractive, than previously.

From: David Bennett 26 January 2017 17:43 PM

Now marked as 'let agreed'. Looking at Google StreetView this is 213 Lordship Lane.There are only 3 EPCs registered in this street and 213 isn't one of them. The property has clearly been renovated and website shows a new bathroom, yet this is missing from the description. Something not right about this listing.

From: David Bennett 16 April 2016 08:22 AM

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