Earlier this month the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) Regulations.
These changes will mean that it will be the agent's responsibility to ensure that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has been obtained for any property being placed on the market for sale or rent. The new changes will also give Trading Standards officers greater enforcement powers. Further changes are scheduled to come in on 1st October, which will mean that the full EPC - not just the asset rating - will have to be included in all printed particulars of a property.
Advice from DCLG indicates that the changes will come into effect on the 1st July 2011 although this has yet to be confirmed. It is also possible there will be a period of grace until the 1st October thereby giving agents the chance to 'catch up' with any properties already being marketed.
EPCs are produced using standard methods and assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.
The certificate records how energy efficient a building is and will provide an energy rating of the building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient. These are similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
The certificate is important because nearly 40 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions arise from the way our buildings are lit, heated and used. Even comparatively minor changes in energy performance and the way we use each building will have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption.
PG Surveyors can offer a full consultation and calculation service for commercial buildings including the issue of EPCs. Our assessors can guide you through the process and have the experience to deal with even the most complex building types. For more information, call 0844 873 3663 or email enquiries@pgsurveyors.co.uk
