Energy Performance certificates - your
questions answered |
| Energy Performance Certificates- how will they affect my building? |
In April 2008 new legislation came into force requiring all commercial buildings for sale or rent over 10,000sqm to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)... learn moreIn April 2008 new legislation came into force requiring all commercial buildings for sale or rent over 10,000sqm to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The legislation is being phased in from April 2008 onwards so that by 1st October 2008 all non-dwellings over 50sqm will require an EPC. An intermediate date has also been set within the schedule that from 1st July 2008 all buildings for sale or rent over 2500sqm will require an EPC.
The EPC will rate the energy performance of the building and will make specific recommendations as to how improvements can be made. Whereas it is expected that EPCs will help reduce carbon emissions and as such benefit the environment, it is also thought the biggest benefit to businesses will be to the bottom line. Savings in energy consumption will soon be helping increase profits. hide |
Commercial property Energy Performance Certificates... does it apply to me? |
From April 2008, if you own a commercial building over 10,000sqm and plan to sell or rent it out, then by law you will be required to obtain an EPC. By October 2008 this requirement... learn moreFrom April 2008, if you own a commercial building over 10,000sqm and plan to sell or rent it out, then by law you will be required to obtain an EPC. By October 2008 this requirement will apply to all commercial buildings. Buildings in the process of construction will also need an EPC from qualified energy performance certificate consultants which should be handed over to the new owners on completion. If a commercial building is for sale, all prospective purchasers should have access to see the EPC which in turn would be handed over to the new owner once the sale is completed. As regards rented buildings, the landlord must appoint energy performance certificate assessors to submit an EPC which must be made available to existing or new tenants.
Once an EPC has been completed and audited by an accredited body the EPC is lodged under a unique reference number by the assessor with Landmark Information Group. This is held on a secure database and is valid for 10 years. Should any party require access to the EPC they will require the unique reference number. hide |
What happens if I don’t get an Energy Performance Certificate before I make the sale or acquire the property? |
The vendor should not allow the disposal of the property without an Energy Performance Certificate because civil penalties will accrue... learn moreThe vendor should not allow the disposal of the property without an Energy Performance Certificate because civil penalties will accrue.
EPC’s should be seen as an integral part of real estate consultancy. Changes have been made to the Valuation Standards so that valuers have to take into account an EPC when an appraisal takes place. These changes have been made now for implementation in October 2008. This is not including any fiscal changes that maybe proposed by the government in the future. hide |
| So do I need to get another EPC within 10 years? |
EPC’s are valid for 10 years. However should the activity type or internal building layout change within this timeframe then this may significantly affect the rating of the building... learn moreEPC’s are valid for 10 years. However should the activity type or internal building layout change within this timeframe then this may significantly affect the rating of the building. This may include an extensive refurbishment programme such as new building services installed. hide |
What about lettings? |
If the property is being sublet an Energy Performance Certificate is required. Furthermore if a tenant of your property wishes to assign or sublet themselves the tenant is responsible for providing the Energy Performance Certificate... learn moreIf the property is being sublet an Energy Performance Certificate is required. Furthermore if a tenant of your property wishes to assign or sublet themselves the tenant is responsible for providing the Energy Performance Certificate.
However where the assignment or subletting forms part of a larger building the co-operation of the landlord will be necessary. The landlord may need to obtain the Energy Performance Certificate for the benefit of the tenant’s assignment or subletting the costs which need to form part of a separate negotiation. hide |
What steps should I take to obtain an EPC? |
Only accredited energy performance certificate specialists can award EPCs. The Communities and Local Government have recently approved several training providers... learn moreOnly accredited energy performance certificate specialists can award EPCs. The Communities and Local Government have recently approved several training providers including the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It has been estimated that approximately 2000 assessors will be required nationwide to undertake EPC’s for commercial buildings.
Five members of staff at Wilbourn Associates are in the final stages of completing the assessment process and will shortly be able to produce Energy Performance Certificates whatever type of property you have and wherever you are located. hide |
Is it likely to be expensive? |
Until we know more about your building it is impossible for our Energy performance certificate experts to give any idea of costs... learn moreUntil we know more about your building it is impossible for our Energy performance certificate experts to give any idea of costs. However, you can be assured that as one of the UKs leading energy performance certificate practices, Wilbourn Associates will be able to offer you a free quotation in advance based on the keenest prices.
Training providers have provided indicative costs for undertaking an EPC ranging from £750 for the smallest property, such as a small high street retail unit, to over £20,000 for a multi-storey office building. In view of the varying complexity and size of building, Wilbourn Associates have set up a form for clients to complete so that an accurate fee quote can be provided for each EPC. Please click here. hide |
Where are the nearest Energy Performance Certificate providers? |
We propose to be the country’s foremost energy performance certificate consultancy and offer national coverage to our clients... learn moreWe propose to be the country’s foremost energy performance certificate consultancy and offer national coverage to our clients. Call or email our EPC department and we will be able to provide further details. It is with this flexibility that we propose to be the number one energy performance certificate source. hide |
Is an Energy Performance Certificate for business properties the same as for residential properties? |
The non dwelling energy performance certificate will be of similar layout and design to the residential EPC... learn moreThe non dwelling energy performance certificate will be of similar layout and design to the residential EPC. However, the commercial EPC will be calculated using the Simplified Building Energy Model, a far more complex software programme than the residential EPC. hide |
What will an EPC assessor report on? |
The energy performance certificate expert assessing your building will take detailed records as part of the site inspection... learn moreThe energy performance certificate expert assessing your building will take detailed records as part of the site inspection. The assessor’s attention will focus on elements directly responsible for the energy performance of your building. Areas to be investigated would include; general building construction, roof and wall insulation, ventilation and air conditioning systems, boilers, glazing, and lighting.
Once the site inspection is over, the energy performance certificate data is input into a computer database programme which calculates the results and provides a comparison against a reference value for a similar property. The final published report will provide all the energy performance certificate information you will need to improve the energy efficiency of your building. hide |
How long will an energy assessor's survey take? |
Clearly the size and complexity of a property will determine how long the investigation will take... learn moreClearly the size and complexity of a property will determine how long the investigation will take. It is important that plenty of time is factored into the procurement of an energy performance certificate before any sale is completed.
It is anticipated that the length of time spent on site will vary from a few hours to several weeks. Detailed measurements and inspections will be undertaken by the assessor at the time of the inspection. The assessor may also need to inspect any Operation Manuals available for plant within the building. hide |
Explain the scoring system used by Energy Performance Certificate assessors. |
The EPC will give your commercial building an asset rating and a reference or comparison value for a similar property... learn moreThe EPC will give your commercial building an asset rating and a reference or comparison value for a similar property. Additionally the energy performance certificate will provide advice to enable you to make changes and increase the energy efficiency of your building. hide |
Are temporary buildings exempt? |
Any building under 50 sqm with the exception of domestic properties will not need an EPC... learn moreAny building under 50 sqm with the exception of domestic properties will not need an EPC. Temporary buildings with a planned use less than 2 years will also be exempt as will sheds and off plan lettings prior to a building’s construction. hide |
Energy performance certificates (EPC) are now available from Wilbourn Associates, the UK’s leading EPC providers and environmental consultants
