Energy Performance Certificates to be extended to all Commercial Properties

As from 1st October 2008 all commercial buildings will require an Energy Performance Certificate on either a sale or letting.

At the moment EPC's are only required for those commercial premises with a floor area exceeding 10,000 square metres although that threshold will be reduced to 2,500 square metres with effect from July 2008.

There is a small exception but this is only for properties of less than 50 square metres.

The obligation to provide an EPC arises when any written information about the building is provided either to a purchaser or prospective tenant in preparation for the sale or the negotiation of a letting, or when a viewing is conducted or certainly no later than entering into a Contract.

To some extent, landowners are shielded from the immediate requirements to provide an EPC since for the time being at least Energy Performance Certificates are not required simply for Lease renewals or extensions.

Clearly however, landowners will need to bear these requirements in mind as from the 1st October 2008 and because the threshold is being eliminated landowners with only a relatively small portfolio of properties are now going to be subject to these requirements.

There are transitional provisions to assist in the smooth implementation of these arrangements but there remain a considerable number of uncertainties and we would be pleased to advise you if you are unsure what the requirements mean for you.

In addition, because of the arrangements we have long since had in hand regarding the provision of Home Information Packs and the connections we have established with Energy Performance Assessors, we are in a position to recommend suitably qualified Assessors should you require an Energy Performance Certificate at any time.