FAQ's
Commercial EPC's
Q. Are any Commercial Properties exempt from requiring EPCs ?
Q. How long is the EPC valid for ?
Q. What happens if I do not have an EPC ?
Q. Do I require an EPC next time I the tenant extends the lease ?
Q. Can I market my property for sale or lease prior to obtaining an EPC ?
Residential EPC's
Q. Is a new EPC required at each tenant change ?
Q. How is an Energy Inspection Organised ?
Q. Do I Have to Act on the EPD Recommendations ?
Q. What are the Penalties if I Do Not Provide an EPC ?
Q. If I lose my EPC Document, can I obtain a duplicate ?
Q. What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Q. Does my building require an energy performance certificate - EPC?
Q. Are any buildings exempt from requiring an energy performance certificate?
Commercial EPC's
Q. Are any Commercial Properties exempt from requiring EPCs ?
A. Commercial EPC’s are not required before the construction of a building is completed, nor on the sale , rent or construction of :
• Places of worship.
• Temporary buildings with planned time use of less than 2 years.
• Stand alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50 sq.m, that are NOT dwellings.
Q. How long is the EPC valid for ?
A. 10 years from date on certificate.
Q. What happens if I do not have an EPC ?
A. The penalty for failing to make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant whilst selling or letting commercial properties is fixed in most cases at 12 % of the rateable value of the building, subject to £500 minimum and £5,000 maximum penalties.
Q. Do I require an EPC next time I the tenant extends the lease ?
A. No the EPC is only required at the next change of tenancy.
Q. Can I market my property for sale or lease prior to obtaining an EPC ?
A. No. The property must have an EPC prior to any marketing activity taking place.
Q. If a building is a mixed commercial/residential development, do I require both Domestic and Commercial EPCs for the different parts ?
A. If the residential part has a separate entrance, then Yes, two separate EPCs will be required. Typically this will be flats above retail premises, where entrances are usually very clearly separate and both types of EPC are required.
Residential EPC's
Q. Is a new EPC required at each tenant change ?
A. No. The EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
Q. How is an Energy Inspection Organised ?
A. Once you have instructed Surrey Energy Management to produce an EPC for a property, we will first arrange access with either the owner, agent or if necessary the sitting tenant. We will then make an appointment to suit the client. During the assessment we will need to inspect the property and gather data. This will include room measurements, details about construction, age and type of heating and hot water system. We will usually take a few photos of heating equipment and controls.
The time taken for an assessment can be from 30 minutes for a single room flat to 1 1/2 hours for a large, more complex home.
Part of our service, where required, is to collect keys from either an agent or other property.
Q. Do I Have to Act on the EPD Recommendations ?
A. The recommendations are for you and your prospective tenant or buyer. There is no legal requirement to act on any recommendations. However, taking action on the recommendations is likely to improve the energy efficiency of your property and make it more attractive to future prospective tenants.
Q. What are the Penalties if I Do Not Provide an EPC ?
A. The provision of EPCs is enforced by Trading Standards and they are able to enforce a penalty of up to £200 for each breach.
Q. If I lose my EPC Document, can I obtain a duplicate ?
A. Yes, subject to you having a record of the 24 digit RRN number. Go to www.hcrregister.com
1. Report Retrieval.
2. Enter 24 digit RRN.
3. Retrieve Report.
4. Accept Terms.
5. Retrieve Report.
Q. What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
A. An EPC tells potential buyers and tenants about the energy performance of a building. The buyers and tenants can then consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business
decision to buy or occupy that building.
All Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) come with a recommendation report which includes advice and
suggestions on improvements you could make regarding the property to save money and energy.
Q. Does my building require an energy performance certificate - EPC?
A. If you have a building i.e. a structure with a roof and walls that uses energy to condition the
indoor climate (i.e. has heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation) then
you will require an EPC when it is either let or sold.
A separate EPC may be required for parts of a building designed or
altered to be used as separate accommodation.
The sale and let of commercial buildings can be complex with floors let to different
tenants, and with a mixture of retail, office and residential accommodation.
The EPC required for any space you offer for sale or let must reflect the energy
performance of the accommodation on offer.
Q. Are any buildings exempt from requiring an energy performance certificate?
A. EPCs are not required on sale or rent for: places of worship, temporary buildings with a planned time of use of less than two
years, stand-alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m2 that are not dwellings, industrial sites, workshops
and non-residential agricultural buildings with low energy demand. EPCs are not required on sale or rent for dwellings due
to be demolished, if the seller or landlord can demonstrate that: the dwelling is suitable for demolition, the resulting site is
suitable for redevelopment, and all the appropriate permissions are in place for both the demolition and the redevelopment.
