14 June 2026
An assessor can only score what they can see or verify. A handful of easily-fixed oversights before the visit routinely cost people a band they'd actually earned.
If the assessor can't physically get into the loft — boxes stacked under the hatch, a wardrobe blocking it — they typically can't confirm your insulation depth and will default to a conservative assumption. Clear the access before the visit.
Without a visible model plate or service record, an assessor may not be able to confirm your boiler's exact efficiency rating and will score it more cautiously. Keep the boiler manual or a recent service invoice somewhere easy to find.
Assessors identify double glazing partly by checking for visible spacer bars between panes. Thick curtains, blinds, or window film can sometimes make this harder to confirm at a glance during a quick visual check.
If you've had cavity wall insulation installed, keep the installer's certificate. Assessors can note self-reported improvements, but documented evidence is what actually gets it reflected confidently in the score rather than left as an assumption.
A smart thermostat or zone controls only help your score if the assessor knows about them — point them out rather than assuming they'll be obvious from a walk-through.
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