diff --git a/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/cert_to_inputs.py b/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/cert_to_inputs.py
index 8a97cae0..94d5dd44 100644
--- a/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/cert_to_inputs.py
+++ b/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/cert_to_inputs.py
@@ -1021,6 +1021,27 @@ def _heat_network_dlf(age_band: Optional[str]) -> float:
     raise UnmappedSapCode("heat_network_age_band", age_band)
 
 
+def _dwelling_age_band(epc: EpcPropertyData) -> Optional[str]:
+    """The dwelling's construction age band, read from the first building
+    part that lodges one.
+
+    The GOV.UK API can lodge a junk empty leading building part (all
+    fields absent) ahead of the real Main Dwelling — reading
+    `sap_building_parts[0]` then yields None and silently drops the age
+    band (e.g. defaulting the heat-network DLF to the K-or-newer 1.50
+    instead of the dwelling's true band). A no-op for normal certs, where
+    `[0]` is the Main part and already carries a valid band.
+    """
+    return next(
+        (
+            bp.construction_age_band
+            for bp in epc.sap_building_parts
+            if bp.construction_age_band
+        ),
+        None,
+    )
+
+
 # SAP 10.2 Table 12 fuel code 50 — "electricity for pumping in
 # distribution network". Its CO2 / PE factors vary by month per Table
 # 12d / 12e (= standard-electricity profile); worksheet (372)/(472)
@@ -1751,10 +1772,7 @@ def _main_heating_detail_efficiency(
     else:
         eff = seasonal_efficiency(main_code, main_category, main_fuel)
     if _is_heat_network_main(main):
-        primary_age = (
-            epc.sap_building_parts[0].construction_age_band
-            if epc.sap_building_parts else None
-        )
+        primary_age = _dwelling_age_band(epc)
         eff = 1.0 / _heat_network_dlf(primary_age)
     return eff
 
@@ -4726,10 +4744,7 @@ def ventilation_from_cert(
     # lodged count is below the age-band minimum. The Elmhurst Summary
     # renders "0" as the form for unknown; the worksheet applies the
     # default via `max(lodged, table_5_default)`.
-    age_band = (
-        epc.sap_building_parts[0].construction_age_band
-        if epc.sap_building_parts else ""
-    )
+    age_band = _dwelling_age_band(epc) or ""
     is_park_home = (epc.property_type or "").strip().lower() == "park home"
     table_5_fan_default = _rdsap_extract_fans_default(
         age_band, epc.habitable_rooms_count, is_park_home=is_park_home,
@@ -5116,10 +5131,7 @@ def _apply_rdsap_no_water_heating_system_default(
     """
     if epc.sap_heating.water_heating_code != _WHC_NO_WATER_HEATING_SYSTEM:
         return epc
-    age_band = (
-        epc.sap_building_parts[0].construction_age_band
-        if epc.sap_building_parts else None
-    )
+    age_band = _dwelling_age_band(epc)
     band = (age_band or "")[:1].upper()
     default = _TABLE_29_DEFAULT_CYLINDER_INSULATION_BY_AGE.get(band)
     if default is None:
@@ -6642,9 +6654,7 @@ def cert_to_inputs(
     # 10-hour) instead of `ALL_OTHER_USES` (0.80) — see
     # `_pumps_fans_fuel_cost_gbp_per_kwh`. Zero when no MEV is lodged.
     mev_kwh_for_cost_split = _mev_decentralised_kwh_per_yr_from_cert(epc)
-    primary_age = (
-        epc.sap_building_parts[0].construction_age_band if epc.sap_building_parts else None
-    )
+    primary_age = _dwelling_age_band(epc)
 
     # SAP 10.2 Appendix D2.1: if the cert lodges a PCDB index number that
     # resolves to a Table 105 (gas/oil boilers) record, the PCDB winter
diff --git a/tests/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/test_cert_to_inputs.py b/tests/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/test_cert_to_inputs.py
index a0a777d0..e528ec42 100644
--- a/tests/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/test_cert_to_inputs.py
+++ b/tests/domain/sap10_calculator/rdsap/test_cert_to_inputs.py
@@ -234,6 +234,40 @@ def test_heat_network_main_applies_table12c_dlf_to_main_heating_efficiency() ->
     assert inputs.main_heating_efficiency == pytest.approx(1.0 / 1.41, abs=0.005)
 
 
+def test_heat_network_dlf_uses_first_non_empty_building_part_age_band() -> None:
+    # Arrange — the GOV.UK API lodges a junk empty leading building part
+    # (all fields absent) before the real Main Dwelling. The dwelling age
+    # band (here A, 1.20 DLF per SAP 10.2 Table 12c) must be read from the
+    # first NON-empty part, not `sap_building_parts[0]` — otherwise the
+    # heat-network DLF defaults to the K-or-newer 1.50, inflating the
+    # distribution loss by 30%. Reproduces cert 8536-0929-6500-0815-7206.
+    main = MainHeatingDetail(
+        has_fghrs=False,
+        main_fuel_type=20,  # mains gas (community)
+        heat_emitter_type=1,
+        emitter_temperature=1,
+        main_heating_control=2106,
+        main_heating_category=6,
+        sap_main_heating_code=301,
+    )
+    empty_leading_part = make_building_part(construction_age_band="")
+    main_dwelling_part = make_building_part(construction_age_band="A")
+    epc = make_minimal_sap10_epc(
+        total_floor_area_m2=_TYPICAL_TFA_M2,
+        habitable_rooms_count=4,
+        country_code="ENG",
+        sap_building_parts=[empty_leading_part, main_dwelling_part],
+        sap_heating=make_sap_heating(main_heating_details=[main]),
+    )
+
+    # Act
+    inputs = cert_to_inputs(epc)
+
+    # Assert — age band A → Table 12c DLF = 1.20 → efficiency = 1/1.20,
+    # NOT the empty-band default DLF 1.50 (1/1.50 = 0.667).
+    assert abs(inputs.main_heating_efficiency - 1.0 / 1.20) <= 1e-9
+
+
 def test_heat_network_distribution_electricity_per_sap_10_2_appendix_c_3_2() -> None:
     # Arrange — heat-network main (Table 4a code 301 = community heating,
     # category 6). SAP 10.2 Appendix C §C3.2 (PDF p.51): distribution