Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

 

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement whenever a property is built, sold or rented.

Since October 2008, legislation, under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, has made it illegal to market a property without a valid EPC. You must order an EPC for potential buyers and tenants before you market your property to sell or rent. In Scotland, you must display the EPC somewhere in the property. You can be fined up to £5,000 if you do not make an EPC available to a prospective buyer or tenant.

What does an Energy Performance Certificate measure?

An EPC measures the energy efficiency of a building, which is represented on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It contains:

  • information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs
  • recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money

An EPC is valid for 10 years providing there have been no substantial structural changes.

Buildings that do not require an EPC

Buildings that are exempt from needing an EPC include:

  • Places of worship
  • Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years
  • Stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50sqm
  • Some buildings that are due to be demolished
  • Holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year or is let under a license to occupy
  • Listed buildings
  • Residential buildings used less than 4 months a year

Legislative changes

As of 2018, EPC requirements will become tougher, meaning it will be unlawful to let residential or commercial properties with an EPC rating of F or G.

Up to 35% of commercial buildings in the UK could fall below new energy efficiency standards by 2018. This legislative change will improve the efficiency of privately rented properties in both the domestic and non – domestic sectors.

Compliance365’s Experience

Compliance365 has experience providing both domestic and commercial EPC’s in a diverse range of sectors ranging from retail, industrial units, hotels, pubs, offices, shopping centres, care homes and hotels.

Our team of Energy and Carbon Consultants also offer advice and guidance on all our certification services. Where a low rated EPC is generated we are able to produce an EPC review.  An EPC review provides details of how the EPC could potentially achieve a higher rating and the implementations required to achieve this.

Compliance365 is the trading name of Energy & Compliance Technology Limited. Registered Office 3 Paragon, Red Hall Crescent, Wakefield, WF1 2DF. Registration No 07311760. VAT No. 115198421