Energy Performance Certificates on commercial properties, which have been a legal requirement since October 2008, will become less easy to ignore from 1st July as the latest release from the Communities and Local Government Department indicates that marketing agents will be liable for fines if properties are marketed without EPC Certificates from 1st July this year, reports Stuart Holton EPC Assessor with Aitchison Raffety.

Energy Performance Certificates indicate the energy efficiency of a building with a multicoloured bar chart, similar to domestic appliances and has been mandatory on sales particulars for residential properties for some time.

EPCs are a legal requirement for most commercial properties being marketed but, despite the possibility of fines, many parties marketing properties choose to avoid the expense until a letting or sale has been agreed and it is then likely to be requested by the incoming party’s solicitor.  However few, if any, agents are likely to be prepared to take the risk of heavy fines being incurred and accordingly this change will effectively make it impossible to market commercial property without an EPC as the energy consumption rating will need to be displayed on all marketing material.

Currently it is unclear how this will affect properties on the market before 1st July and it is possible that these may be given an extended grace period but, bearing in mind that the EPC requirement has been in place for nearly three years, it would be surprising if there was any significant loophole left here.

Further information can be obtained from Stuart Holton, Qualified Energy Assessor at Aitchison Raffety, tel: 01908 608002.