Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) has been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Government Legislation that came into force on the 1st October 2008 in regards to Energy Performance Certificates, which are now required on the leasing or sale of all commercial premises.
The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'. Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.

Properties That Will Require An EPC:

• Retail/Shops
• Offices. This includes buildings, floors and suites within buildings
• Industrial. This includes warehouse and factory facilities
• Public Houses, Restaurants and Hotels
• Leisure facilities, including gyms, bingo halls and cinemas
• Agricultural premises which use energy to cool or heat the properties
• Hospitals, Medical Centres, Nursing and Residential Care Homes

The legislation provides for some exceptions, such as:

• Office Buildings which are detached and are under 50 sq.m in total area
• Temporary Buildings with a planned use of less than 2 years to run
• Places of Worship
• Non residential agricultural buildings with low energy usage

The EPC should be in place prior to the marketing of the property as applicants who request sight of the EPC must have this provided without delay. The penalty for failing to provide a prospective purchaser or tenant with an EPC is fixed, in most cases at 12.5% of the ratable value of the building, with a default penalty of £750 when the formula cannot be applied. The penalties range from a minimum of £500 to a capped maximum of £5,000. Responsibility for enforcement in newly built properties falls within the remit of Building Control, whilst Trading Standards oversees the enforcement of certificates of existing buildings.

To be specific, an EPC must be provided to a prospective purchaser or tenant, no later than:

a) Any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information
b) When a viewing/inspection of the building is conducted

The EPC is valid for a 10 year term unless changes to the buildings energy efficiency have been made.

Goodsir Graham works with a chosen selection of EPC Assessors and we can arrange for a quote where you are under no obligation to instruct us. Because we have researched the market place and recommend a large volume of EPC’s that are commissioned, the quality of the assessor has been well tested and the fees charged are very competitive.