2 Hillcrest Cottages, Mersea Road, Abberton, Colchester, CO5 7NS

2 Hillcrest Cottages is a three-bedroom detached house in Abberton, Colchester, Colchester (CO5 7NS). It has a recorded floor area of 52 m² (around 560 sq ft), construction records dating it to 1930-1949 and council tax band B. At 52 m² this is the smallest unit on EPC record across the building (52–130 m²). The building's EPC ratings span F to C, with this unit at the top. On EPC score it ranks first in the building (76 versus a worst of 36). The latest certificate (January 2026) shows a C (score 76), near the top of the C band. When first surveyed in May 2010 the rating was E, the property has climbed 2 bands since. Between certificates, roof efficiency went from Average to Very Good, hot-water efficiency went from Poor to Average and main heating went from Poor to Good; while lighting dropped from Very Good to Good. The recommended improvements would push it to B (score 87). Main heating runs on electricity. This certificate was lodged in the last six months, so the rating reflects current condition.

At 52 m² it sits well below the postcode median (102 m² across 8 EPCs), making it one of the more compact homes locally. 3 planning records sit against the property, 2 approved, 1 refused. Past consents include an extension and a porch, meaningful when judging how the property has evolved. Today's modelled estimate of £296,000 is 18.4% above the 2023 sale price. On a £-per-square-foot basis, the last sale (£447/sq ft) was about 87.1% above the typical sold price in the postcode. Last sale on file: £250,000 in November 2023.