596a, New Chester Road, Birkenhead, CH42 1QB

596a is a two-bedroom semi-detached house in Birkenhead (CH42 1QB). It has a recorded floor area of 59 m² (around 635 sq ft), construction records dating it to 1900-1929 and council tax band A. The latest certificate (February 2013) shows a D (score 68), on the cusp of jumping into the C band. When first surveyed in October 2012 the rating was F, the property has climbed 2 bands since. Between certificates, hot-water efficiency went from Very Poor to Good, lighting went from Good to Very Good and main heating went from Very Poor to Good; while window efficiency dropped from Good to Average. The recommended improvements would push it to C (score 77). The latest certificate is from February 2013, so improvements made since then won't be reflected. At 59 m² this is the 26th smallest of 47 units on EPC record in the building, where floor areas span 42–90 m². The building's EPC ratings span D to B, with this unit at the bottom.

Held since April 2004 — that's 22 years off the open market, well above the local norm. Today's modelled estimate of £109,000 sits 220.6% above the 2004 sale of £34,000. On a £-per-square-foot basis, the last sale (£54/sq ft) was about 40.7% below the postcode norm.