I have been seeking knowledge regarding Non-Domestic Energy Performance Contractors for a long period of time and have collected what I have researched in the body of this opinion piece.

The landlord is liable for failing to provide an EPC and could be fined for non-compliance, the fine for which can be up to £5,000. However, this is not clearly defined and the fine may be issued on multiple occasions if the EPC remains outstanding. In Europe alone, more than 220 million existing buildings – or 75% of the building stock – are energy-inefficient, with many relying on fossil fuels for heating and cooling. To comply with minimum energy performance requirements, many of the recommendations in an EPC report e.g. double glazing, new doors and windows, external wall insulation, and external boiler flues would likely result in unacceptable alterations in the majority of historic buildings. These can include buildings protected as part of a designated environment or because of their special architectural or historical merit (e.g. listed buildings or buildings within a conservation area). In these cases an EPC would not be required. Ensure that you receive an EPC from the seller when buying a property. They are useful as they provide recommendations that can inform any renovations that you might wish to carry out or future expenses to better the property’s efficiency overall. You can also use this information to try and negotiate the property price. The introduction of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/962) (MEES Regulations) created a requirement that in certain circumstances properties in England and Wales can only be let if a minimum energy efficiency standard has been met. EPC reports are paid for by the seller or landlord. If you have had work done to your property, you may want to get a new report when you come to sell it, to reflect any improvements made. If you’re renting your home, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to get an EPC.



When buying, selling or renting your property, an EPC rating is key as it gives you an idea of how much energy bills will cost; the carbon emissions that the property emits; and ultimately, provides recommendations as to what you can do to improve its energy efficiency. An EPC provides a record of the energy efficiency rating of a building. The building is assessed on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also recommends improvements that could upgrade this rating, such as installing internal and external wall insulation, replacing the boiler with a more efficient model, or installing double-glazed windows. New homes are rated between A and C and older homes between E and G. The average rating is D. An EPC certificate is an essential document needed when selling a house. When you are buying or renting a property you should never be asked to provide or pay for an EPC report. However, if you plan on renting out a property you own, or put a property you own onto the market then you will need to get an EPC report. When commissioning a commercial EPC, it is useful if you have to hand information about the useable size of the property, the heating systems involved and air conditioning present. This is because commercial EPCs are divided into categories or 'Levels' which are set by the type of heating system present. Level three properties are defined by basic heating and comfort cooling, level four properties will include much more complex ducted heating/cooling systems. A team of Energy Assessors and Chartered Surveyors are uniquely placed to give advice on mees and provide a complete energy consultancy service.

Improving Your Rating

A domestic EPC gives your home an energy efficiency rating of between A and G, with A being the most energy efficient that is possible and G being very poor. Having a good energy efficiency rating can be good for attracting buyers or tenants to your home as it means they will have reduced fuel costs in the future. A Commercial Premises utilises significant amounts of energy during the working day due to powering heating systems, mechanical ventilation and cooling. A Commercial Property with the best ratings is more attractive to potential tenants and buyers as they have lower running costs and are more environmentally friendly. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legally required document that provides detailed information about a property’s energy efficiency, giving a rating on a scale from A to G. The EPC also offers suggestions to improve your property’s energy efficiency, potentially saving you money in the long term. From April 2018 changes to legislation will make it unlawful to agree a new lease for a commercial property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G. MEES will apply to new lettings and lease renewals on or after the 1 April 2018, the landlord/property owner will need to ensure that the property meets MEES before the lease is granted. However as of 1 April 2023 all privately rented property will be required to meet MEES. EPCs are not required for listed buildings. This is because improvements such as installing double glazing are often prohibited because they require structural changes. Advising on matters such as non domestic epc register will provide benefits in the long run.

A good energy consultant should have the right licenses, equipment, heaps of positive reviews and strong experience behind their back; but actually, it goes well beyond that. Are they passionate about the industry? Have they got well-rounded skills that cater for your every need? These are a few things that you need to consider when deciding which energy consultant is right for you and whether they can provide you with a great service. EPCs are needed whenever a property is built or marketed for sale or rent. Not having an EPC could lead to enforcement action and the issuing of a penalty charge notice. Each EPC is valid for 10 years and can be used multiple times during that period. An EPC can only be produced by an accredited energy assessor who will visit the property to carry out an assessment. EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were introduced to England and Wales in 2007. This means that depending on when you moved into your property, your certificate may already be valid. You can use the EPC register’s look-up tool to check if you have one and if it’s still valid. Although the vast majority of commercial properties require an EPC, there are some exceptions, and even though they are a requirement, they also provide valuable information on where various areas of the premises can be made more energy-efficient. The cost of an EPC is set by the market. It includes the travel time to the dwelling and back, the survey, the energy modelling, production of the EPC, the lodgement and compliance with any quality assurance procedures. The costs of EPCs may differ for the rental sector compared to those for private homes for sale. Its always best to consult the experts when considering epc commercial property these days.

How Do I Get A New Epc Certificate?

There are some limited occasions where you may be exempt from providing an EPC. This includes when you are a live-in landlord and are renting out one of the rooms in your property. The other main exemption is listed buildings, which may not need an EPC as their protecting regulations limit owners to increasing insulation or installing double glazing. There are some exceptions when an EPC is not required, such as standalone buildings under 50m2, places of worship, buildings due to be demolished and Listed buildings. Most buildings do require an EPC however, so it’s always best to check with an Accredited Energy Assessor if in doubt. An EPC is a certificate that tells you how energy efficient a building is by rating it from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient). It contains information about how the construction of the home affects its energy usage and will tell you how expensive it is to heat your property and what its annual carbon emissions are likely to be. To calculate the Energy Performance Certificate, a qualified assessor will come to your property and look at different varieties of factors to better understand how energy is used in the home. This includes looking at any potential for heat or energy loss, checking for insulation throughout the property, looking at how efficient the heating system and water is, inspecting whether you have double – glazing, energy efficient light bulbs etc. It is worthy of note that a property built to 2010 Building Regulations is likely to achieve a C rating, with only the most carefully designed buildings achieving better, however it is possible a well insulated period building with efficient replacement boilers and light fittings can also achieve very good ratings. However, if the period building is listed, the property no longer requires an EPC for sales or lettings. A solid understanding of commercial epc makes any related process simple and hassle free.

Failure to adhere to EPC requirements can lead to harsh financial penalties of £200 per breach imposed and up to £4,000 for landlords whose properties do not attain a minimum rating of E on their EPC. Energy performance certification is a key policy instrument that can assist governments in reducing energy consumption in buildings. It provides decision makers in the buildings industry and the property marketplace with objective information on a given building, either in relation to achieving a specified level of energy performance or in comparison to other similar buildings. The UK was the first major economy in the world to legislate for Net Zero emissions by 2050. This will involve a radical shift in the way energy is used. Policies such as the £2 billion Green Homes Grant launched in September 2020 aim to improve the energy performance of homes and decarbonise the heating source, enabling warmer homes. Energy assessors must identify conflicts of interest and raise concerns with their accreditation scheme if they feel they have been asked to implement practices which run contrary to this. When selling a house, it’s only natural that you want to get the best possible price you can for it. There are many ways to do that, so what should be top of your list? With so much paperwork to go through, the Energy Performance Certificate might be one that’s never occurred to you before, or you’re not yet familiar with. So how much of an effect does the EPC really have? Maximising potential for mees regulations isn't the same as meeting client requirements and expectations.

Qualified Non-Domestic Energy Assessor

An EPC is rated between A-G. An A rated property is the most efficient and a G rated property is the least efficient and needs to be improved. The scale shows an A rated property as dark green and a G rated property is coloured red. An A rated property is the most energy efficient and will cost the least to heat whereas a G rated property is the least energy efficient. If you’re aiming to improve your EPC rating, then we would recommend getting an energy performance certificate before (If you don’t have a valid one) and after the changes. This will allow you to track the impact of your improvements. To do this, we advise using the same assessor or firm to avoid the risk that even after improvements are made, a discrepancy in approach or equipment used in the assessment means you don’t get a higher rating. You could also ask the assessor’s advice on your home improvements before you invest. It’s illegal to let a commercial property with an F or G rating, unless there’s a valid exemption, and you can be fined between £500 and £5,000 based on the rateable value of the building if you don’t make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or tenant. Check out additional insights on the topic of Non-Domestic Energy Performance Contractors at this UK Government Portal web page.

Related Articles:

More Background Insight With Regard To Qualified Domestic Energy Contractors
Background Findings About Non-Domestic EPC Assessors
More Findings With Regard To Commercial Energy Performance Contractors
Additional Information About Commercial EPC Assessors
Supplementary Insight With Regard To Commercial EPC Assessors
Extra Insight About Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Assessors
More Insight On Qualified Domestic Energy Contractors