EPCs / Level 3 and Level 4 Non-Domestic Properties
Professional property solutions from EnCert, including
Energy Performance Certificates, Floor Plans & Land Registry Plans and Inventories.
Commercial EPCs are required:
Sale or Rent: As soon as the building is offered for sale or rent the Seller/Landlord must make an EPC available to the prospective purchaser or tenant. Completion of a contract cannot happen with out one.
On construction: The EPC must be carried out on physical completion of the building, and the building control officer will not issue a Certificate of Completion until the EPC is provided.
On modification: The building control officer will not issue a Certificate of Completion until the EPC is provided.
The following types of buildings do not require an EPC:
- Places of Worship
- Stand-alone non-dwellings less than 50 square metres
- Temporary buildings with a planned life of less than two years.
- Industrial premises with low energy use, and where the space is, mostly, not heated or cooled
- Buildings to be demolished within two years.
Commercial EPCs are required:
Sale or Rent: As soon as the building is offered for sale or rent the Seller/Landlord
must make an EPC available to the prospective purchaser or tenant. Completion of
a contract cannot happen with out one.
On construction: The EPC must be carried out on physical completion of the building,
and the building control officer will not issue a Certificate of Completion until
the EPC is provided.
On modification: The building control officer will not issue a Certificate of Completion
until the EPC is provided.
The following types of buildings do not require an EPC:
- Places of Worship
- Stand-alone non-dwellings less than 50 square metres
- Temporary buildings with a planned life of less than two years.
- Industrial premises with low energy use, and where the space is, mostly, not heated
or cooled
- Buildings to be demolished within two years.
Don’t risk a fine- The maximum penalty for non-compliance is currently £5,000, enforceable by Trading Standards. The penalty notice also includes the requirement to produce a valid EPC.
FAQs
Why have commercial Energy Performance Certificates been introduced?
Energy Performance Certificates have been introduced to help raise awareness the
effect human activity, at home and at work, has on the environment. They are one
of the measures introduced under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
(EPBD) to encourage individuals and companies to take responsibility and reduce
energy and carbon dioxide consumption to help the United Kingdom meet its internationally
set environmental targets.
How will an Energy Performance Certificate help my company reduce our energy and
carbon dioxide consumption?
An Energy Performance Certificate uses an “asset rating” to illustrate a building’s
energy efficiency graded between A+ and G. The certificate, also, compares the building’s
rating against a similar newly built property and a similar building that is typical
of the existing stock. The Energy Performance Certificate contains a recommendation
report that contains improvements that can be made to the property, therefore, making
the building more energy efficient. This will help reduce running costs in the long
run.
How much will an Energy Performance Certificate cost?
Due to the complex and diverse nature of commercial properties it is necessary to
produce a quotation for each building. In fact we recommend landlords and property
agents seek a number of quotations to secure a competitive deal. We pride ourselves
on providing a completive professional service covering the Three Counties.
I own or am in charge of a large portfolio of commercial properties can we benefit
from economies of scale?
Yes. We would need to analysis the portfolio and assess the information available
to complete the Energy Performance Certificates. We will then confirm a fixed fee
and timescale for completing the work. If the portfolio contains domestic properties
we can also provide Energy Performance Certificates for these.
Why are new builds different from existing buildings?
New Build properties require a level 4 assessment to comply with Building Regulations.
The majority of properties in the United Kingdom are classed as level 3. EnCert
Limited can complete level 3 and level 4 assessments.
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Are there any type of commercial buildings that do not require
an Energy Performance Certificate?
Places of worship, stand-alone non-dwellings less than 50 square metres, temporary
properties with a planned life of less than two years, buildings classed as unconditioned
space (for example agricultural buildings), and buildings that are planned to be
demolished within two years.
How long is an Energy Performance Certificate valid for?
10 years.
i) Preparing a level 3 non-domestic energy performance certificate
Preliminary enquires to establish whether plans, building specifications, or information
relating to the services are available. An Energy Performance Certificate can be
created without this information, however, the presence of this information greatly
reduces time spent on the project and reduces the resulting fee.
ii) A site visit is then arranged to collect the necessary information relating
to the structure of the building, window sizes, layout, and services relating to
the building
iii) The Energy Assessor then “zones” the property and produces values for each
zone and the buildings envelope. Once complete the information is loaded into the
SBEM software and the Energy Performance Certificate is generated. EnCert Limited
also provides a client report, in addition to the recommendation report, that help
explain the background legislation and the significance of the Energy Performance
Certificate.
iv) Once we have received payment we will forward a copy to the relevant parties,
for example, the party disposing the interest in the property, solicitors, and estate
agents.
Level 4 non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates are for new build non-domestic
properties and existing buildings with heating systems over 100kw or cooling systems
over 12kw.
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