Great Harwood is a small town sitting just north of Accrington, with its own distinct character and a strong sense of community that sets it apart from the larger towns nearby. The BB6 postcode covers the whole town, and the housing is predominantly Victorian and Edwardian stone terraces built to serve the cotton mills that once drove the local economy. Despite its relatively compact size, Great Harwood has a lively property market. Purchase prices remain well below the national average, which has drawn steady interest from buy-to-let investors over the years. I reach Great Harwood in about 30 minutes from my base in Bury, heading up through Haslingden and across the top of Accrington. It's a straightforward run, and I'm frequently in the area assessing properties across the wider Hyndburn borough.
Great Harwood's terraced streets follow a pattern familiar across East Lancashire. Built primarily during the second half of the 19th century, these are stone-fronted properties with solid walls, slate roofs, and relatively small footprints. Many have two bedrooms, a front room, a back kitchen, and a yard. The solid wall construction is the main factor that pulls EPC ratings down, as there's no cavity to fill with insulation. I regularly assess these properties and most return ratings in the D to F range depending on the heating system and what improvements have already been made. The most effective upgrades tend to be modern condensing boilers, loft insulation to current standards, and double glazing if the original windows haven't already been replaced. I'll always include specific recommendations with every certificate.
What makes Great Harwood particularly appealing to landlords is the combination of low purchase prices and reliable tenant demand. A two-bedroom terrace in the town can still be picked up for well under £80,000, and rental returns tend to be healthy relative to the outlay. That affordability has brought investors from across the North West and beyond, many of whom are managing their portfolios remotely. Every rental property needs a valid EPC before it can be marketed to tenants, and certificates need renewing every ten years. I work with landlords who have single properties in Great Harwood through to those building up portfolios across multiple East Lancashire towns. The process is the same each time: I arrange access, carry out a thorough on-site assessment, and lodge the certificate within 24-48 hours.
Great Harwood's location makes it easy to combine with other assessments in the area. Accrington is just a few minutes to the south, Clayton-le-Moors sits immediately to the west along the A680, and Rishton is a short drive further towards Blackburn. If you have properties spread across any of these towns, I can often visit several in a single trip. The BB6 postcode is relatively contained, covering the town itself and the immediate surroundings, but I also cover BB5, BB1, and the wider Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen areas. Whether you're selling a property, letting it out, or just want to know where your home stands on energy efficiency, I can get the assessment done quickly and without any fuss.
Based in Bury, covering the whole of Greater Manchester and beyond.
5 minutes south. Covering BB5 across Hyndburn.
15 minutes west via Rishton. Covering BB1 to BB3.
5 minutes west along the A680. Covering BB5.
I cover the BB6 postcode and all surrounding areas. Book online or give me a call and I'll get you booked in fast.
