Old House - insulation? Worth the purchase?

[Ft23]

Hello,

We're in the process of buying a 1920's semi in West Yorkshire. It is an original 3 bed, now with a loft extension and a rear conservatory extension - both done in 2000.

We've recently found out that the EPC on sale was incorrect- the house is solid brick not cavity wall (uninsulated). The rating is now a low E. It also says there is no loft insulation (the loft conversion has two small bedrooms), and no under floor insulation. There is double glazing throughout.

We currently live in a half insulated cavity wall house, EPC rating a high D and find it cold in winter. We're concerned the house we want to buy will be much, much colder and too expensive to heat. The house is already rendered and we cannot afford external wall insulation (quote seems to be £15k).

Has anyone got experience with these types of properties- is there anything else we can do to improve insulation? Idea of heating bills? Or is it best to walk away from a cold house?

Thanks

So they have assumed no insulation, that’s different to knowing there is no insulation!

I’d start by comparing what the requirements were in 2000 compared to now. And to be honest, lofts are going to be hot in summer - ours was done last year and we saw the amount of insulation that went in, it was still pretty unbearable in the last heat wave. But we coped.

When lodging an epc the assessor can only say there is insulation present if you have proof from when it was installed (plans/dated photographs)or can visibly see it, otherwise you have to put it as unknown. If it says assumed, it doesn't mean there isn't any, just that they can't prove it is present. It can make a big difference to the properties rating, I have known up to 10 points dropped, particularly on older properties.

Loft rooms are far worse in the summer than the winter. In the winter you can wrap up, but in the summer there is little you can do to cool them down.