NDEPCs
As part of the government commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and to comply with a number of EU directives the government introduced legislation that meant from 1st October 2008, all non-domestic buildings on construction, sale and rent will require a Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificate (NDEPC) and a Recommendation Report (RR). This information will help owners and occupiers make their building more energy efficient and allow potential buyers and tenants to compare the energy performance of different buildings. This is being phased in from 6th April 2008 for buildings with a floor area of > 10000m². In July 2008, this will extend to buildings with a floor area of > 2500m².
By October 2008, all larger public buildings will require an annual Display Energy Certificate (DEC) highlighting their energy performance. This is to be displayed prominently in a place visible to the public. These buildings will also require an Advisory Report (AR) providing recommendations for energy improvements each seven years.
We have produced this simple guide to help answer some of the main questions we are being asked.
Click a title below for further information
All commercial buildings being sold or let (this includes sub-letting) are required by government legislation to have a Non Domestic Energy Performance Certificate (NDEPC) completed on them. Any new build commercial buildings also require a commercial EPC to be supplied to the prospective buyer or tenant.
The Non Domestic Energy Performance Certificate is produced for a commercial property and looks similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as washing machines and fridge freezers.
It tells the potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or let that building.
All EPCs come with a graph that is banded from A to G. A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient, included in the EPC is a recommendation report which includes advice and suggestions on improvements they could make to save energy and money.
It is the responsibility of the seller or landlord to ensure that there is an EPC for the property they are selling or letting, even if an agent is selling or letting their property on their behalf. In most cases the estate agent will obtain the EPC on the behalf of the seller or landlord.
The EPC needs to be available and provided to a prospective buyer or tenant when written information is provided about the building and no later than when the viewing is conducted.
An EPC for a commercial building is valid for 10 years or until a newer EPC is produced for the building, if sooner.
Failing to make a commercial EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant when selling or letting the building is fixed at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building but is subject to a minimum penalty of £500 and a maximum of £5000. The EPC will still be required.