COMMERCIAL EPC

MHIS

Manchester Home Inspector Services Ltd

GOVERNMENT ACTS ON NON-COMPLIANCE ISSUE

Commercial EPC Info

A) EPCs are required from 1st October 2008 for all "conditioned" commercial buildings over 50sq metre when they are sold, let, modified (building fabric or services) or constructed. A "conditioned" building is one with a roof and walls which uses energy to condition the indoor climate i.e. some levels of heating, mechanical ventilation or cooling

B) Failure to provide an EPC can result in a fine of 12.5% of the rateable value of the building up to a maximum of 5,000 pounds. Enforcement is carried out by local Trading Standards departments.

C) EPCs are not required on construction, sale or rent for:

Places of worship, temporary buildings with a planned time of use less than two years, stand alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m2 that are not dwellings, industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings with very low energy demand.

D) EPCs are not required on sale or rent for buildings due to be demolished. The seller or landlord should be able to demonstrate that: the building is to be sold or let with vacant possession; and the building is suitable for demolition and the resulting site is suitable for redevelopment; and they believe, on reasonable grounds, that a prospective buyer or tenant intends to demolish the building (e.g. on evidence of an application for planning permission).

E) An EPC is valid for ten years, or until a newer EPC is prepared.

There are 3 types of Commercial EPC. Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5. The definition of a Level 3 building is

(i) simple heating systems (Boiler Systems <100kw)

(ii) simple natural ventilation

(iii) small comfort cooling systems (up to 12kw)

Communities  and Local Government interpret these to mean

(i) refers to the size of the total boiler system, so that 2 linked boilers of 75kW is level 4. Where the heating is not from boilers, we take it to refer to the size of the individual heater.

(ii) means opening windows and basic mechanical ventilation (extract tab only)

(iii) refers to the total for more than one unit (as per boilers). So level 3 includes split systems cooling one room or, say, one shop with display and store room cooled by one unit.

Sample EPC

EPC Guide

WE CARRY OUT COMMERCIAL ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES ON LEVEL 3 AND LEVEL 4 BUILDINGS. CALL 07759742423 FOR A QUOTE  OR DOWNLOAD AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRE. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Questionnaire

According to a recent survey carried out by National Energy Services, there is a staggering 81% of Commercial Properties being advertised for sale or let WITHOUT an EPC. That is 81% of owner/landlords breaking the Law and leaving themselves open to a possible £5000 fine. Many are saying they don’t know about the Regulations, so Manchester Home Inspector Services Ltd will be contacting as many Estate Agents as possible to inform them that they may be allowing their clients to break the Law.

The Government has now acted upon this problem by issuing a Guidance document to the Enforcement Authority, the Trading Standards Officers, throughout the country. This Document can be viewed here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This will obviously be the first step by the Government to enforce the Legislation set out in the European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and heavy fines for non-compliance may well be applied.

Enforcement Doc