When you need a commercial EPC?

If you are a landlord and intend to rent or sell a commercial property, or if a building that was under construction is now complete, you are legally obligated to obtain a commercial EPC. The EPC must be freely given to potential renters or purchasers.

A new commercial EPC won’t be necessary each time there is a change in tenancy or the property is sold as long as an existing EPC is still valid (EPCs are good for 10 years) and there haven’t been any significant alterations made to the building.

However, you’ll need to get a new EPC to make sure it accurately represents the property being sold or rented if a building has undergone a change in use, has been divided into fewer or more units for separate occupation, or has had changes to the heating, hot water, air conditioning, or ventilation systems.

What happens if you don’t have a commercial EPC?

Depending on the rateable value of the property, you may be penalised between £500 and £5,000 if you fail to provide an EPC to a potential buyer or tenant.

If the building’s total useful floor area exceeds 500 square meters, the building is frequently visited by the general public, and an EPC has already been created for the building’s sale, rental, or construction, you must display your EPC by fixing it to the property.

If you believe that the fine you received for not having an EPC is unfair, you may choose to appeal and request a review. Information on how to do this can be found on your penalty notice charge.

Is there a minimum EPC rating requirement?

According to new rules that went into effect in April 2018, a commercial property must have an EPC rating of “E” or above in order to be leased to a new tenant or renewed with an existing tenant.

You cannot lease properties with ratings of “F” or “G” unless you take efforts to boost the building’s energy efficiency and rating.

All leases, including those that are already in effect, shall be subject to these restrictions as of April 2023. Additionally, it’s expected that rental houses will need to have at least a “D” rating by 2025 and a “C” rating by 2030.

How do you obtain a commercial EPC?

Only a certified commercial energy assessor is authorised to issue business EPCs. Filling out the form on the Non-Domestic EPC Register is the simplest method to accomplish this. The intricacy and characteristics of the building will determine the sort of assessor needed.

An assessor will then need to visit the property to look at the energy efficiency of the lighting and windows, whether it has cavity wall and loft insulation, the type of ventilation it uses, as well as heating systems and controls.