Kate Bullen, a commercial property solicitor with Stephensons Solicitors LLP, also believes many property owners are unprepared for the April 6^th transition. She says: “Commercial property accounts for at least 20 per cent of the UK’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and if the UK is to meet the terms of the Kyoto agreement, measures such as EPCs are said to be a vital step in the right direction.

 

“However, it is commonly known there is a shortage in the number of qualified energy assessors in some areas, which could in turn drive up the cost of an EPC and prolong the amount of time it takes to obtain one.

 

“Energy performance certificates are already tried and tested in the residential market, and in fact one MORI poll recently found that one third of buyers will go on to make the improvements necessary to meet better energy efficient standards.

 

“It’s hoped that commercial property owners will follow suit, but with the cost of an energy performance certificate likely to be £3,500 upwards for a building with more than 10,000 square metres, it could be an unwelcome cost for property owners looking to sell or let after April 6^th.”

 

The introduction of EPCs for commercial buildings will be staged. From April 6^th, larger buildings with a total useful floor area of over 10,000 square metres will require an EPC, followed by buildings over 2,500 square metres from July 1^st 2008, and all other properties will be included from October 1^st 2008.

 

Once obtained, subject to certain exceptions the certificate will be valid for ten years.

 

Kate adds: “The obligation to obtain an EPC will fall to the owner or landlord of a building, but it will be local authorities who will enforce the regulations, most likely trading standards officers. They will have the power to implement penalties for property owners who fail to provide an EPC, which could in some cases, be up to £5,000.”