Residential EPCs – from 1st October 2008

By law Energy Performance Certificates are required for all residential properties if you are:
Renting – All landlords need to provide an EPC and recommendation report free of charge to prospective tenants the first time they let or re-let a property after 1 October 2008. The EPC must be available no later than:

• When written information about the building is provided on request
• When a viewing is conducted
• Before entering into a contract to let

An EPC for rented property is valid for ten years.

For more information call 0845 273 9774 or visit our sister company Energy Assessor Panel Ltd on www.EnergyAssessorPanel.com

Building – All builders of newly built property need to provide an EPC when a home is constructed and physically completed. This will also apply if a building is modified.
If the completed home is being advertised for sale, the EPC is available to include in a Home Information Pack for potential buyers for the next 12 months.

Commercial EPCs – from 1st October 2008
By law Energy Performance Certificates are required for most non-domestic commercial buildings being sold, rented or constructed. Buildings being modified and resulting in the addition or removal of parts of the building and also buildings having Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems installed or modified may also require an EPC.

On construction – The constructor gives the Energy Performance Certificate and Recommendations Report to the Purchaser on physical completion of the building and notifies Building Control, who will not issue a Certificate of Completion until the EPC is provided.

For sale or rent – As soon as the building is offered for sale or rent the seller or landlord must make an EPC available to prospective buyers or tenants. The Energy Performance Certificate may be for the whole building or individual units and completion of contract should not happen without it.

On modification – The contractor undertaking modification work is responsible for providing an Energy Performance Certificate and Recommendations Report to the client. They must then notify Building Control who will not issue the Certificate of Completion until the EPC is provided.

The maximum penalty for non-compliance is currently £5k which is enforceable by Trading Standards. The penalty notice also includes the requirement to produce a valid EPC.

For more information call 0845 273 9774 or visit our sister company Energy Assessor Panel Ltd on www.EnergyAssessorPanel.com