Harbro Project Solutions 

EPC improvements. This terraced row of four pebble-dashed, one-bedroom houses, each with one parking space, no gardens but surrounded by countryside to the rear (which hosts the main entrance door) and a busy main road to the front. All cottages had been tenanted for over 30 years but with two properties vacant, with a third due to become vacant soon, the owner decided it was time to sell the three vacant properties, so they were capable of being rented (EPC E or above), keeping the last one as a rental. The brief was to make decorative and EPC improvements to enable the sale. Their current EPC status was F for the two end cottages and E for the inner two. In order to make the required statutory improvements, it was decided to externally insulate the envelope of the building, add light coloured rendering, change the windows and doors, upgrade the electric heating system from storage heaters (there is no gas to the site), internally and externally damp-proof (ensuring that when the time comes to damp-proof the final property, the external façade would not need to be touched) and finally insulate the loft area. As the property would only likely accommodate one-two persons, the understairs cupboard (next to the entrance hall) was removed to allow for an integrated fridge freezer, large pan drawers and countertop space, a new heater was added to a dead-space wall. The rest of the U-shaped kitchen allowed for an integrated oven, microwave and washer/dryer, with sink unit next to the main window, overlooking the countryside, a breakfast bar space was added to allow for a separate eating area from the living/dining area. The living area designed to accommodate a sofa bed for guests, a WHF area and dining space. Upstairs, the bathroom was rearranged to accommodate a P shaped bath with shower, with the bathroom window only partially obscured to be able to see the fantastic countryside views (as the property is not overlooked by any other properties) plus a vanity unit replaced the single sink, and the toilet was moved slightly to provide additional space next to it. The upstairs landing was quite spacious where a small drawer unit could be best utilised for additional space. The bedroom consisted of a non-mirrored sliding door wardrobe, some limited shelving, water tank and emersion heater. In order to provide more storage space and make the room feel lighter, mirrored doors were added and the water rank moved to the loft space. Externally, the fence was re-stained a lighter colour, replaced where needed, an outside tap was added for outside planting or car washing, each property benefits from their own space outside their door where planters could be placed, with the end unit side area gravelled and fenced to the front to provide an additional outside space, this property was listed for £5k more than the others. In order to deliver these improvements, whilst permitted development was possible it would not include the change from pebbledash to light smooth rendering, so to avoid any neighbour challenges full planning permission was applied for to cover change of external colour and new windows (as the fitter was not FENSA registered). Building control were also instructed to oversee the external works and window installation. As the whole building had been purchased over 40 years ago then converted to four units, as part of the vendors pack, it transpired that they had not been formally registered with the land registry, so we needed to complete a ‘first registration’ and create new conveyance documents/ rights of access and parking, for the sale of the individual properties. Once completed, the EPC rating improved from F to D (end units) and E to C (middle units) - all three properties sold immediately for their full asking price and local residents commented on the how much they appreciated the improvements for the area.