Energy Performance Certificates
Haven Consulting Ltd specialise in the provision of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for Commercial and Domestic buildings in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to companies and organisations in South Wales, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Carmarthen, Ceredigion, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Cardiff, and Newport. 
Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (NDEPC's)
Since the 1st October 2008, there has been a legal requirement for all buildings used for Commercial purposes to have in place Energy Performance Certificates at point of sale, rent or construction. Commercial EPC's are based on the calculated energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions, are valid for 10 years and there is not a requirement for renewal each time the building is sold or let within this 10 year period. This requirement has not changed since the change of Government in May 2010.
The only exceptions from this legal requirement are-
Places of worship
Temporary buildings with an expected lifespan of less than 2 years
Buildings with appropriate permissions for demolition and re-development
Stand alone buildings of less than 50m2 of useful floor area
Non-residential buildings that do not use energy to condition the indoor climate such as barns or car parks.
At Haven Consulting we pride ourselves with our accreditation for both Level 3 and 4 for commercial buildings which covers small simple design basic services buildings through to large complex design complex service buildings. To produce the Energy Performance Certificate, we would visit the building to conduct a survey where information is gathered on the building dimensions, construction elements, type of heating, type of lighting and levels of insulation. If not previously available, scalable drawings are then produced and the building split into usage zones, prior to all the information being fed into government approved software. The energy rating and EPC are then produced, lodged on the governments' centralised register and a unique report reference number (RRN) assigned. The cost to produce Commercial EPC's will vary according to the nature of the property and whether scaleable drawings are available. Due to the wide variation of commercial buildings, cost will generally be based on size, usage and location.
CLG Guidance on Compliance with the regulation
The latest requirements from the Governments' Communities and Local Government department, dated 16th October 2008, gives the following guidance when marketing Commercial property for sale or rent.
If the building was placed on the market prior to the 1st October 2008 deadline, then an EPC must be requested when a contract for sale or let is entered into. If the EPC is not available prior to the contract being entered into, this need not delay the transaction but the EPC will still be required before completion. The property vendor or landlord is required to order the EPC in good time and at least 14 days before it is required to avoid penalty charges.
For buildings placed on the market after the 1st October 2008 deadline, an EPC has to be in place before the building can be actively marketed, viewings undertaken or sales particulars provided to prospective tenants / purchasers. The property vendor or landlord is required to order the EPC in good time and at least 14 days before it is required to avoid penalty charges.
If the vendor or landlord has ordered an EPC, has made and continues to make all reasonable efforts and enquiries to obtain the EPC within the 14 days, the sale or rental process can continue after the 14 days have elapsed. If the EPC was ordered up to 14 days previously, the building cannot be viewed, sales particulars cannot be provided and contracts for sale or let cannot be entered into.
Failure to comply with these requirements will incur a penalty charge which in most cases will be 12.5% of the rateable value of the building with a default penalty of £750 where the formula cannot be applied. The quoted range of penalties are set with a minimum of £500 and capped at a maximum of £5000. It is the vendor or landlord that will be liable for the penalty.
Building Regulation Part L2 (SBEM Calculations for Building Regulation Approval)
Prior to construction, commercial buildings must comply with Building Regulations Part L2A and will require Building Emission Rates (BER) and Target Emission Rates (TER) to be calculated and submitted as part of the planning application. As a result of having Level 4 accreditation, we are able to undertake this on your behalf.
If you have any questions regarding the requirements for Commercial Energy Performance Certificates or would like a quotation for a particular project, please contact Haven Consulting Ltd, via the details on our “Contact Us” page, for a full professional service.
Domestic Energy Performance Certificates
As of 21st May 2010, the new coalition Government have suspended the Home Information Pack (HIP).
There is however, still a legal requirement for a property owner to have commissioned an EPC prior to marketing for sale or to let all domestic property. Additionally there are new duties on the agent acting for the property owner to be satisfied that an EPC has been commissioned before commencing marketing and on both the property owner and agent to make reasonable efforts to secure the EPC within 28 days of commissioning. Failure to comply with all the new and existing duties under the legislation carry fixed penalties of £200.
Domestic Energy Performance Certificates are based on the calculated energy usage for the given use of the building, it's location and size. To produce the certificate, we would visit your dwelling to conduct the survey where information is gathered on the building dimensions, construction elements, heating type, lighting type and levels of insulation. All the gathered information is fed into the Government approved software and an energy rating produced in the form of a certificate.
We are able to off competitive pricing and contracted volume discounts with one point of conatct for instructions, queries and billing.
If you have any questions regarding the requirements for Domestic Energy Performance Certificates or would like a quotation for a particular project, please contact Haven Consulting Ltd, via the details on our “Contact Us” page, for a full professional service.