Energy Performance Certificates in Swanscombe

Common property types

• Victorian and Edwardian terraces: The older part of Swanscombe along the High Street, The Grove, and Milton Road contains rows of terraced houses built for cement works employees in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These are typically two-bedroom properties with solid brick walls, narrow floor plans, and small rear yards. Some have had rear extensions added. Solid wall construction is the main EPC challenge, and without wall insulation these houses typically score E or F. A number have been updated with modern boilers and double glazing, which helps but does not fully compensate for the wall issue.
• 1930s semi-detached houses: Inter-war semis are found on the streets between the village and Greenhithe, including properties along London Road and Southfleet Road. These three-bedroom houses have cavity walls, bay windows, and hipped roofs. Many have had extensions and improvements over the decades. Where cavity walls have been filled, these properties can reach a solid D rating. Those with unfilled cavities and older heating systems tend to sit at E.
• New-build development near Ebbsfleet: The Ebbsfleet Garden City and Springhead Park developments have brought modern houses and apartments to the area. Built to current building regulations, these properties typically achieve B or C ratings. They are popular with commuters using Ebbsfleet International station for high-speed services to London St Pancras. Each unit still needs an EPC every time it changes hands or is let.
• Post-war council housing: Small estates of 1950s and 1960s houses and bungalows are found around Swanscombe, including properties along Craylands Lane and near the recreation ground. These have cavity brick walls and pitched roofs. Some have been sold under Right to Buy and are now in the private sector. The main EPC issues tend to be ageing boilers and thin loft insulation.
• Greenhithe riverside apartments: The Ingress Park and Waterstone Park developments near Greenhithe station include modern apartments and townhouses. These are built to good standards and perform well on EPCs, typically achieving B ratings. The riverside location and proximity to the Fastrack bus route make them popular rental properties.

Typical EPC issues we find in Swanscombe

• Solid walls in older terraces: The Victorian terraces along the High Street and Milton Road have solid brick walls. Wall insulation is the single biggest improvement available but is expensive. Without it, ratings struggle to reach D.
• Old boilers in private rental stock: A number of terraced houses in old Swanscombe are rented out with boilers that are over 15 years old. Upgrading to a modern condensing boiler can improve the EPC by one or two bands and is often the most practical improvement for landlords.
• Thin loft insulation: Many older properties have some loft insulation but far less than the recommended 270mm. Topping up is cheap and effective, making it one of the first improvements we suggest on Swanscombe EPC reports.
• Unfilled cavities in 1930s stock: The inter-war semis along London Road and Southfleet Road often have cavities that were never filled. Cavity wall insulation is one of the best value improvements and can shift the rating from E to D or better.
• Single glazing in unrenovated terraces: Some of the smaller terraced properties near the High Street still have single-glazed windows. Replacing these with double glazing improves both the rating and the comfort of the property, particularly when combined with other improvements.