What is an EPC?

An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a guide to a building’s energy efficiency. The rating system rates a building on an ‘A – G’ rating, with ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient.

What do I need to know?

An EPC is a statutory requirement whenever a property is built, sold or rented and should include the following information:

• Details about the property’s energy use and typical energy costs.
• Recommendations to improve the property’s energy efficiency.
• An ‘A – G’ rating Certificate.

The Energy Act 2011

From April 2018 it will be a mandatory statutory requirement to achieve a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’, in order to be able to market a property (both commercial and privately rented residential properties) To Let or For Sale.

How does this affect me?

If you are a landlord and you are renewing or granting a new lease on or after the 1 April 2018, you will need to ensure that your property meets the minimum EPC rating of an ‘E’. If your property does not achieve the minimum rating it will be unlawful to grant a new tenancy, to new or existing tenants, until the property achieves the minimum rating.

Even if you entered into a long lease, from the 1 April 2023, Landlords must not continue letting a property which is already let if that property has an EPC rating of F or G.

Exemptions

You will not require an EPC if you can demonstrate that the building is exempt, which include:

• Listed Buildings.
• Temporary Buildings used for 2 or less years.
• Places of Worship.
• Industrial sites, workshops, non-residential agricultural buildings that use limited energy.
• Detached buildings less than 50 sq. meters.
• Properties with consent and are due to be demolished.
• Buildings to be sold or rented with vacant possession.

What to do next?

Unless it is exempt. You will need to appoint an approved Energy Performance Assessor to review your property’s energy performance.

If the property has a rating of F or G. The properties energy efficiency will need to be improved to meet the minimum ‘E’ rating, before granting a new tenancy or offering the property for sale.

Once upgraded a new EPC will be required to verify the property now meets the minimum requirements.

How we can help

It is recommended that you act in good time before the April 2018 deadline, to reduce the risk of a breach of the new statutory requirements and potentially incurring financial penalties.

Roger Hannah and Co can provide you with professional guidance.

We can assist you in implementing and delivering the changes required for your building to achieve and/or exceed the minimum standards.

An example of the services that Roger Hannah & Co can provide include:

• Design and Specification of the Works.
• Tendering & Value/Cost Management.
• Administration of the Works/build contract.