Commercial Energy Assessments
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) on commercial buildings will be rolled out from 6 April 2008
on buildings measuring over 10,000m2 and from 1 July 2008 on buildings
measuring over 2,500 m2.
All other buildings, including rented dwellings, will be required to have an EPC on transaction from 1 October 2008.
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) will be required on public buildings from 1 October 2008. The government will
consult further on DECs for all other publicly accessible buildings in 2008.
Only accredited energy assessors will be able to carry out
assessments to produce Energy Performance Certificates.
Trafford Surveyors
employ in-house RICS and
BRE-accredited
Energy Assessors, who produce EPCs for all types of properties. If you think your commercial property may need an EPC please get in touch with
our professionally trained team for more advice and assistance. See below for some
Frequently Asked Questions.
Frequently Asked Questions Section
What is a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate?
A commerical EPC will assess how energy efficient
buildings such as high street shops, offices and factories are.
The EPC will include recommendations on how to improve the property's energy efficiency.
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Who can provide an EPC?
Only professionally qualified Commerical Energy Assessors
can provide this service. Governing bodies include the
RICS.
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How long are EPCs valid for?
For commerical buildings, the certificate is valid for 10 years or until replaced with a newer one.
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How much will an EPCs cost ?
The price of EPCs will be governed by the market demand. In practice, it is likely
that the cost will vary depending on the size, location and age of the building.
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Do I need a new EPC every time I let my building?
As long as a valid EPC exists for the building, you can provide this to prospective
tenants. An EPC is valid for 10 years and during this period you can provide the same
EPC to prospective tenants. This EPC will no longer be valid if a newer EPC has been
obtained.
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Can a prospective tenant or buyer waive their right to receive an EPC?
The relevant person has a duty to provide an EPC to a prospective buyer or tenant
and will be liable to a penalty charge if he fails to do so, irrespective of whether
the prospective buyer or tenant purports to waive an entitlement to receive the
certificate.
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Do I need an EPC if I have exchanged contracts to sell or let before 6 April 08, but have not yet completed the transaction?
The last point at which the duty to make available an EPC may be satisfied is when a
prospective buyer or tenant enters into a contract to sell or rent the building ie upon
exchange of contracts. In this case the contract has been exchanged before 6 April 08
and the duty to make available an EPC will not arise.
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I’m selling a building for demolition – do I need an EPC?
If you can demonstrate the building is suitable for demolition and the resulting
site is suitable for redevelopment and you believe on reasonable grounds that the
prospective buyer or tenant intends to demolish the building, you do not need to
provide an EPC. Generally this can be demonstrated by having the relevant planning
permission or evidence that planning permission has been applied
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