Energy Performance Certificates in Clapham

Common property types

• Georgian terraces around the Common: The north and west sides of Clapham Common feature grand Georgian townhouses from the late 18th and early 19th century. Many are four storeys with basements, thick solid walls, and tall sash windows. Most have been divided into two or three substantial flats.
• Victorian terraces: The streets between Clapham Common and Clapham Junction, including Lavender Hill and Battersea Rise, are lined with mid-to-late Victorian terraces. Solid brick walls, bay windows, and decorative features are standard. Many are converted into flats.
• Purpose-built mansion flats: Edwardian and inter-war apartment blocks around Clapham South and Balham. These have thick brick walls, communal entrances, and individual flat layouts designed for the period. Some have communal heating that affects the EPC assessment.
• Modern apartments near Clapham Junction: New developments around the station and along the railway lines have added modern flats that achieve B or C ratings with efficient heating and insulation. These are straightforward to assess and rarely need improvements.

Typical EPC issues we find in Clapham

• Georgian solid walls: The oldest properties in Clapham have walls up to 450mm thick but with no insulation cavity. Despite their thermal mass, they score poorly on EPCs because steady-state heat loss is high, and insulation options are limited by heritage considerations.
• Basement flats with cold floors: Many converted Georgian and Victorian houses have basement or lower-ground-floor flats with solid floors directly on the ground. These have high heat loss through the floor and limited ventilation, both of which affect the EPC rating.
• Conservation area window restrictions: Parts of Clapham around the Common are in conservation areas where replacing original windows requires planning consent. Owners may be restricted to secondary glazing rather than full double-glazing replacement.