Buildings 'should display energy ratings'

bdonline.co.uk - 30th March 2011

The UK Green Building Council has said all non-residential buildings should have their A-G energy rating on public buildings to encourage landlords to bring up to scratch those premises lagging behind.

The ratings would provide an at-a-glance indicator and detailed technical information on the energy performance of a building, it said. The council added that these display energy certificates should be used to produce a range of publicly accessible league tables based on occupiers, landlord, sectors, building types and uses.

Green Building Council chief executive Paul King said the rating system should be included in the Energy Bill currently going through parliament. "A to G ratings for commercial buildings will provide a reputational driver for both landlords and tenants to take energy use more seriously," he added.

He said aswell as displaying ratings, landlords should also be required to put up certificates showing energy efficiency of the services they provide.

EPC rules tighten

estateagenttoday.co.uk - 25th March 2011

New requirements are set to tighten up rules on Energy Performance Certificates imminently.

Communities and Local Government has issued no press briefings or other information, but has held meetings with EPC providers to discuss changes, which look set to including having a full EPC on all marketing, including the internet.

However, according to part of the presentation by CLG which we have seen, the changes are due to come into force 'from April / Jult 2011'. However, the document does not specify in what order the changes will apply or give actual dates.

The changes will include:

• An EPC must be either available or ordered before any property is marketed for sale or rent, and enforcement officers will have powers to check that the EPC has been commissioned;
• The full EPC, apparently as opposed to the summary graphs, must be provided when supplying property particulars;
• The 'responsible person' (usually the agent) must use 'reasonable efforts' to ensure that the EPC is available within seven days of the start of marketing, rather than the current 28 days; 
• The EPC must be attached to all proeprty particulars for marketing purposes;
• Finally, the changes make the agent liable to prosecution if the EPC rules are broken.