Commercial Energy Performance Certificate

From 1st October 2008 all commercial buildings will require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on construction, sale or change of tenancy.

An EPC provides an energy rating for the building which is based on the performance potential of the fabric of the building and its services such as heating, ventilation and lighting.
The EPC will include an energy rating which can be used to make comparisons with buildings of a similar type.
The EPC will also include a recommendation report on how the energy performance can be enhanced and an estimate of savings that can be made on improvement of energy performance.
An EPC is valid for 10 years.

You will need to have the property inspected by a qualified Energy Performance Inspector who will first carry out an inspection and assessment and then provide the EPC.
We can arrange this for you.

This will depend on the size and type of property.
Most energy performance assessors will ask you to complete a pre-inspection form and provide you with an estimate of costs prior to undertaking the inspection based on the information contained in the form.
Depending on the type and complexity of the property reports are likely to cost between £500 and £5,000.

The provision of an EPC will be mandatory and failure to provide this will result in a penalty for non-compliance which could range for £500 to £5,000 depending on the rateable value of the Building.
This is enforceable by Local Trading Standard Offices.

The only buildings exempt from the new legislation are:
places of worship
temporary buildings
buildings with low energy demand where the indoor environment is not conditioned
buildings due for demolition

For further information on arranging your EPC please contact
Stephen Palmer (spalmer@coleandcosolicitors.com) or call on 01603 617018.