Latest Changes EU legislation will make it compulsory for energy efficiency ratings to be published in all UK homes for sale advertisements from 2012. At the moment homeowners are required to commission an energy performance certificate (EPC) before putting a property on the market, but the results may not be available when potential purchasers first view it. From 2012 the EU Directive will make it compulsory for the ratings to be published upfront giving buyers vital "green" information. The legislation will effectively put a green, amber or red energy efficiency grading on every For Sale board in the UK. It will also help the government to deliver its ambitious plans of reducing household carbon emissions by 29% by 2020.  EPC's for Landlords Regulations require that from 1 October 2008 any residential property being let will require the landlord to provide an Energy Performance Certificate to prospective tenants.Rental properties are covered by the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations which was laid before Parliament at the end of March 2007. Unlike the Home Information Pack, the process for landlords is much simpler.Once obtained the certificate will be valid for 10 years, but can be renewed earlier if the landlord wishes to reflect any energy efficient improvements made.All lettings within the 10 year valid period will be able to make use of the same Energy Performance Certificate, but the law states a landlord must show it to any prospective tenant. EPC's for all Residential Properties EPC’s are nowvalid for 10 years (although if a home owner has made improvements to the energy performance of the property, we should recommend that they commission another one to reflect the changes made). It must be commissioned before the property is marketed and available within 28 days. Non Domestic (Commercial) Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are now required for all commercial buildings whenever built, rented or sold. There are a few exceptions - see below for further details. As part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), from 4 January 2009 it has been a statutory requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate for commercial buildings when the property is offered for sale or for let, this includes lease assignations. An EPC should be provided to a prospective buyer or tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than when a viewing is conducted or when written information is provided about the building. Even if no marketing takes place it must be provided before entering into a contract to sell or let. Energy Assessors Kent is a provider of the inspection and certification services for the energy performance rating of commercial buildings – covering retail & industrial units, offices and commercial premises. Energy Assessors Kent can deliver a simple and effective certification process, from pre-site data gathering, on-site inspection and iSBEM technology calculation and production of the certificate. A commercial EPC is valid for up to 10 years, unless a newer EPC is produced for the property, in which case only the latter is valid. Contact Energy Assessors Kent for free consultation. 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 (entirely detached) buildings with a total useful floor area of     less than 50m2 that are not dwellings;  ·       Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings with low energy demand;  ·       On sale or rent for buildings due to be demolished.
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