Energy assessors are no strangers to dark, dusty lofts, cobweb-filled corners, and the occasional creepy critter. For many in the field, these conditions are just part of the job.

However, every now and again an assessor may come across something even more shocking! Take a look below at our top spooktacular stories!

The Phantom of SW13: A Haunting in the Flat

“About 5 months ago I received an instruction to visit a first floor flat in an otherwise nondescript system-built block of early 1980s multiple dwellings in London SW13.  I had been into many of the flats before so was familiar with the layout, how they were built, and what to expect. The entrance was via a modern insulated door, straight into a pitched black and enclosed lobby, from which a corridor led past the bathroom into the living room and on into the kitchen, which I made my base for about the next 60 minutes.

It was apparent on entry that no one had been living in the place for some time. All indications were that the flat had been occupied by someone who had been there for many years, but who had probably died in situ.

Working methodically, I moved around the flat collecting the information. What struck me as odd was that on entering the bedroom the curtains moved, and I could feel a breeze, yet the windows and front door were firmly closed. ‘A change of air pressure due to the door being opened, or just a trick of the imagination’, I wondered? And it was cold.

Having taken measurements, counted radiators, measured windows, and then checked the light bulbs, I moved into the bathroom. The light, which was an unexceptional flush fitting sphere, worked. As usual, I unscrewed the glass sphere, checked the lamp, and replaced the glass sphere, screwing it all the way back into its flush ceiling fitting and leaving it as it was found, all nice and snug. I turned off the light and returned to the kitchen area to write up the notes.

About 10 minutes later there was an almighty crash and sound of breaking glass, which I initially ignored, but then thought it might be worth checking to see what it might have been.

Nothing in the bedroom.

Nothing in the hall.

But on opening the bathroom door, on the floor, were the remains of the glass sphere which had managed to unscrew itself and fall to the floor to be smashed into hundreds of little pieces.

‘Very funny’ I said out loud, ‘You can stop that nonsense’ at which point I felt another breeze, this time colder than before.

Could I have replaced the glass sphere incorrectly? Possible. But what would make it unscrew itself?  And what about the air moving, and the breeze?  Or was there a poltergeist in the flat, possibly the spirit of the deceased having one final laugh? Who knows.

Taking as much time as was required, I finished what was required and left the flat. But before closing and locking the door again, I said ‘Thank you for providing the entertainment. Rest well’.

Happy Halloween! Don’t have nightmares, sleep well, and keep a torch handy.”

A Haunted Encounter in a Victorian Mansion

“I got asked by a local Housing Association to help calculate energy use on a room by room basis for a number of businesses within an old Victorian mansion.

Upon arrival at the property the caretaker advised to stay out of the basement, as it was haunted.

My colleague and I jokingly went “aye right” and proceeded to survey the various flats within the mansion.

Now one of the flats to be surveyed was above the basement and in order to make the survey accurate, I decided to go into the basement and my colleague remained on the ground floor.

There was a stairway down to the basement and a long corridor, perhaps around 20m, with doors to access the basement flats.

The corridor lights were off, as no one was using this part of the building, so I went down the stairs with my torch, taking measurements as I went. When I got to the end of the corridor in the basement the heavy fire door at the staircase entrance banged closed. At this point my torch died, leaving me in complete darkness. I tried to call out for assistance but due to the fire door I couldn’t be heard. I felt a sudden uneasy feeling with a rush of cold air all around me. I reached into my pocket to call my colleague with my mobile phone, which despite being fully charged on arrival to site was now dead.

I had to feel my way back along the corridor with my hands in the darkness, with a swirling cold air around me and banging noises until I reached the fire door and the staircase.

If that wasn’t spooky enough, when I got up the staircase to the ground floor the mobile and torch mysteriously came back on.

I said to my colleague “what was all the banging?”. He replied “what banging?”

We later found out that the building used to be a care home for the elderly, before passing into the ownership of the Housing Association.

It’s now being converted into flats.”

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: You Gave Me a Fright After All

“My most frightening moment was one morning in an empty cottage.

Working my way through the inspection, I opened the door to the first floor back bedroom. I walked in when, from behind the door, I was suddenly confronted by a man just inches away.😬

Behind the door there was a full height wall mirror and only then I realised that the man was… ‘Me’!! 😱”

Have you had any spooky encounters?

If you’ve had any spooky or strange encounters of your own, let us know about them by clicking the button below.

We wish you a happy Halloween!