Clarification complaints on changes to EPCs

Important changes to the requirements regarding Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are effective from tomorrow – 9 January 2013.

But according to RICS (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) many of these changes have not previously been discussed and RICS has been asking the DCLG for clarification on some of the amendments, including whether or not listed buildings are now excluded.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is an EU measure designed to tackle climate change by reducing the amount of carbon produced by buildings. The requirements of the Directive were implemented on a phased basis by the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007.
Key requirements were:
• Energy performance certificate to be produced on the sale, rent or construction of a building.
• Display energy certificate to be produced and displayed in large public buildings.
• Air conditioning equipment above a certain size to be inspected regularly.
Changes have now been made to the regulations, to transpose the requirements of a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in England and Wales. The main requirements being introduced on 9 January 2013 are:
• Property advertisements to include details of energy performance certificate rating where available
• No longer a requirement to attach front page of the energy performance certificate to written material
• Extension of current requirement for a display energy certificate in large public buildings, to public buildings above 500m². Unlike buildings larger than 1,000m², display energy certificates for smaller public buildings will be valid for 10 years
• Energy performance certificate to be displayed in commercial premises larger than 500m² where one has been previously issued.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has updated its guidance documents to reflect the changes
RICS have been asking the DCLG for clarification on some of the changes including, where it says an EPC certificate will no longer be required for: “Buildings and monuments officially protected as part of a designated environment or because of special architectural or historic merit in so far as compliance with certain energy efficiency requirements would unacceptably alter character or appearance,” RICS asks: “This would appear to indicate that listed buildings, for instance, are now excluded.”
The Institute has advised its members to carefully read the guidance notes to find out more.