Final implementation date for Energy Performance Certificates - 26/08/2008

On 1 July, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) extended the requirement for EPCs to the construction, sale or rent of commercial buildings with a floor area over 2,500 square metres; from 1 October, EPCs are required for the construction, sale or rent of all remaining commercial buildings.

The purpose of an EPC is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.

EPCs are produced using standard methods, with standard assumptions about energy usage, so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another similar building. They allow prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.

More information

• Download the guidance on the DCLG website

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in the Muckle LLP Resource Centre

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