Energy Performance Certificate - EPC
As a seller or landlord you are responsible for ensuring there is an Energy Performance Certificate available for the accommodation being sold or let, even if a managing agent or another service is acting on your behalf.
If you are offering any accommodation for sale or let (this includes sub-letting) you will need to make an EPC available that reflects the energy performance of the accommodation on offer. An EPC should be provided to a prospect buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than when a viewing is conducted or when written information is provided about the building or in the event before entering into a contract to sell or let.
The Energy Performance Certificate EPC looks similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. The EPC Certificate is valid for 10 years or until a newer Certificate is prepared.
It tells potential buyers and tenants about the energy performance of a building so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy the building. EPCs come with a recommended report which includes advice and suggestions on improvement which could help you to save money and energy.
Building Regulations
On 29th March 2007 the government implemented the Energy Performance Regulations. The Regulations will be brought into force between 19th April 2007 to 4th January 2009.
What does this mean to property owners?
From the 6th April 2008 they will not be able to construct, sell or lease a commercial building over 500m2 without providing an Energy Performance Certificate to a prospective buyer or tenant. Non-compliance will result in failure to complete conveyancing or possible action by Trading Standards Officers including fines of up to £5,000.
Also from 6th April 2008 public authorities and public institutions occupying buildings with a usable floor area over 1,000m2 will be obliged to present a Display Energy Certificate in an area clearly visible to the general public.
1st January 2009 is the deadline for possession of a valid report for existing air-conditioning systems with an output of more than 250kW.
Energy Performance Certificates & Display Energy Certificates must be accompanied by a report containing recommendations for the improvement of the energy performance of the building. The report has to be issued by the energy assessor who originally issued the Energy Performance Certificate. Failure to provide a recommendation report will incur a £1,000 fine.
How can we help?
Through our expertise and energy industry contacts, we can arrange a cost-effective range of energy solutions that can be tailored to meet your needs:
For existing buildings we can provide certification to keep them compliant with the forthcoming Regulations.
We also offer a range of energy performance management services to help them reduce the carbon emissions of their building(s) including:
- Completing energy audits of their buildings where we can help them to achieve the target energy benchmark implemented by the government as part of the new Regulations
- For new build and refurbishment projects, we offer guidance and design services to help you achieve compliance with the new Regulations.
For further information, please contact: Kadine Fernandez
Intelligent People, Innovative Solutions
Call 01737 230300 or email info@oamps-gb.co.uk
or use our online enquiry form