Energy Performance Certificates - Are You Ready?
Commercial buildings to be built, sold or let will in future require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The requirement is being phased in, having commenced on 6 April 2008, when EPCs were required for commercial buildings over 10,000 square metres. On 1 July 2008, EPCs will be required for commercial buildings over 2,500 square metres and all other commercial buildings will require an EPC from 1 October 2008.
From 6 April 2008, all public buildings over 1,000 square metres have been required to display an EPC.
A builder or landlord is required to provide not only the EPC, which shows the energy efficiency of the building, but also a recommendation report issued by an energy assessor. This will show recommended actions necessary to improve the energy efficiency of the building. A new building will not be able to be issued with a certificate of completion by the building inspector unless the EPC and report are available.
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.
