post BER blues

73trix

Just had my BER done to prep for renting out the house and it was terrible. Scores really low and needs lots of work but I just can't afford it
One of the most GALLING things for me is that I got a few jobs done during the year to prepare for renting that seem to have been a waste of money.
Plus, I went to the expense of getting my attic "properly" insulated 4 yrs ago at the mere cost of E500. He told me that it is hopeless and was surpised that I had got it done at all! :mad: At the time, I got it to 18inches approx (originally 8" I think) and now he says you need 30". Feck that, not doing it again!!
Says I need a new boiler which could provide a separate system to heat the water so not needing the immersion anymore.
Recently, I got a NEW electric shower installed and got my immersion replaced! Seems my tank is too small now too, so was the new immersion also a waster of money?!
I am sooooooooo depressed...

Fiona_242

Don't show the BER certificate unless someone renting asks for it and most people don't. Just show it if asked, same with sale. My husband has one for a 2nd property and we are currently trying to sell off. It got half way up the scale chart. Don't worry about it. Show it if required if not don't bother. You need it for sale though, only reason I have one.

Pauley2

...post your issue in the BER forum elsewhere on this site, I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice on the cheapest way to get to the next level on the BER chart. Be sure to include the rating you got and some details about the house (age, detached or not, double glazing or not etc..). If you got a "C" or above you're doing OK and I'd just leave things alone. If a "D" there may be relatively inexpensive fixes you can do to bring you over the threshold to a "C".

The cert system isn't perfect - for example having incandescent bulbs in any of your light fixtures/sockets at the time of rating will lower your rating - make sure they're ALL low energy, preferably CFL. Something like this, no matter how small, could be enough to tip you from one rating to the next.

Good luck...

dathi

ok someone is mixing up there inches with centimeters. the recommended depth for insulation is 30cm not 30 inches 8" =200mm 12"=300mm 18"=460mm 300mm=30cm 30"=760mm
i would hop up into your attic and check what thickness you really have if you have 460mm you have plenty and your ber assessor has made a mistake,and the house needs to be re assessed . or you have 180mm and you need to top it up with more insulation. in which case you can top up the insulation your self with rolls of 150mm earth wool.

Joey the lips

Taken from the BER website..



What Impact Will BERs Have on Owners Selling or Renting a Building?

The regulations apply to buildings when offered for sale or let on or after the 1st of January 2009. A person wishing to sell or rent a building will be required to get an Building Energy Rating (BER) carried out and to provide prospective buyers or tenants with this information. This will increase awareness of energy performance as a factor in the property market. Those with better rated buildings i.e. more energy efficient buildings will be motivated to highlight this as a positive selling point while those with poorer rated buildings may be motivated to upgrade their buildings as set out in the advisory report.
It is expected that investments in the energy performance of buildings will benefit building owners and users in terms of improved comfort, lower energy running costs and possibly higher property values. Over time it can be expected to contribute to a change in market behaviour, which will ultimately improve the energy efficiency of the national building stock and collectively, over time, these market activities could result in an environmental protection benefit in terms of a reduction in CO2 emissions from Ireland's national building stock.


Fiona 242 as according to the above it is a requirement to provide on then the onus is on the landlord to supply one. Techanically speaking this implies that if a landlord does not produce and show a BER cert its a statuatary breach of law and under statutary law a tenent can break a contract without any penality ie loss of deposit for example.

As at the moment a BER cert does not lead to higher or lower taxation and tbh the difference between the best and worst is only a couple of notches i would just supply a copy of the BER cert with the rental contract and let the tenant make up there mind.

It generally boils down to location anyway... and if a house is extramly cold then a tenant can call in a public health nurse if they have kids and if the nurse declares the house unsafe for kids then statutary law would again override any rental agreement.

Just for FYI.

Wildebrian

Hi

Can you send me your MPRN ( Meter point reference Number ) this is an eleven digit number on the Top of your Electricity bill.If the Ber cert has been published I can then access the XML and let you know if there are any low cost solutions.I am a registered BER assessor and my email is bwilde@iol.ie

odds_on

Originally posted by Joey the lips
Fiona 242 as according to the above it is a requirement to provide on then the onus is on the landlord to supply one. Techanically speaking this implies that if a landlord does not produce and show a BER cert its a statuatary breach of law and under statutary law a tenent can break a contract without any penality ie loss of deposit for example.

This is the belief for the Irish Law Society as published in a document on the BER. However, there has not been a test case in the courts for a ruling.
So, anyone wishing to break their lease, without penalty, for the reason of not seeing a copy of the BER cert before signing a rental agreement, it is not yet clear cut.

It is also unbelievable how many properties for sale there are, that do not have a BER Cert. For property sales, a solicitor will not proceed until they have received a copy of the BER Cert. If the BER cert is not directly available it will delay the completion of the paperwork and therefore the sale. Estate agents acting as agents for the vendor, are also liable to be fined (up to €5,000) if there is no BER Cert available. I see not reason for a seller to wait for the BER do be completed as they are valid for 10 years. (Rant over from a prospective purchaser this Feb - March)