Another green tax on its way!

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) implementation date has been delayed yet again! Currently the government has stipulated that by the 4th January 2009, all commercial buildings whenever built, that are newly rented or sold, will need one in place by then.

To remind you, the certificate records how energy efficient a commercial property supposedly is and this is classified by A - G ratings. These are similar to the labels you can see on domestic appliances such as fridges or freezers etc. The objective of the EPC is to allow energy efficient comparisons between classes of property which are of the same type, i.e. offices, retail or industrial and thereafter allow potential occupiers and purchasers to see how energy efficient the building is before they are committed to occupying it.

Secondly, an EPC will be accompanied by a recommendation report showing what could be achieved if cost effective and other measures to improve the energy rating of the building were implemented.

Only accredited energy assessors, using agreed methods and assumptions about how energy is used can produce an EPC. Unfortunately, there is a cost and currently not much choice in the market at the moment over who can provide it. Even so, we do have several companies we can recommend should you need one?

Finally, the government sees the certificate as important because nearly 50 per cent of the UK’s energy consumption and carbon emissions come from the way our buildings are lit, heated and used. So there is a merit in the idea. However the cynic might quickly realise it is perhaps the precursor for a green tax to the future? The more energy efficient the building the lower the tax. Time will tell!

For further information call Simon Moffatt BSc FRICS IRRV