Changes to Energy Performance regulations take effect today

Changes to Energy Performance regulations take effect today

From today the 9th of January 2013 all sales or letting advertisements in the commercial media will now be required to show the EPC rating of the property being advertised. The full A-G energy performance graph is not necessary unless there is available space in the advertisement to accommodate it. There is also no longer a requirement to attach the front page of the certificate to any related written material.
Another change introduced in the amended regulations is the exemption of listed buildings from the requirement to possess an EPC. Certificates 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.”
There are also changes to be made regarding the display of EPCs in commercial buildings. These changes can be summarised as follows:
The current requirement for an EPC to be displayed in large public buildings is extended to include public buildings over 500m£².
A new requirement for an EPC to be displayed in commercial properties larger than 500m£² that are frequently visited by the public and where an EPC has previously been issued.
An EPC is to be made available to prospective buyers or tenants of a property who have registered an interest in the property (either by arranging a viewing or requesting further details). The provision of the EPC is the responsibility of the seller or landlord and should be produced in whichever format the buyer or tenant has requested (e.g. hardcopy or via email).
If the landlord or seller of the property has employed an agent to manage the sales/ letting process, it will be the agent who supplies the prospective buyer/ tenant with the EPC. However, the responsibility to ensure that this is done still ultimately lies with the landlord/ seller. 
In every case, the landlord or seller is obliged to give prospective buyers/ tenants a copy of the properties EPC before any contractual agreement has been entered into. The EPC must always be available to the prospective buyers/ tenants free of charge. 
Failure to make a required EPC available means that the relevant person (i.e. the landlord) may be liable to a civil penalty charge notice.
There remains an obligation on the person acting on behalf of the seller (the agent) to ensure an EPC has been commissioned prior to marketing.
PSG’s sister company PSG Energy supplies the complete range of EPC’s and related surveys to property agents, developers, utility companies and individuals.

PSG

http://www.psgconnect.co.uk

Since 1997, PSG has been a leading provider of quality conveyancing searches in England and Wales. During that time, we’ve embraced technological advances to develop a service that provides property professionals with a complete conveyancing support package. Our range of products and services has grown with the demands of the industry and alongside our traditional search service providing searches for both residential and commercial transactions, we also offer Title and Legal Indemnity Insurance policies, Risk Management Products, Quotation & Referral and Case Management solutions. Over 1,000 firms every month trust PSG’s people and technology to deliver a first class service. Our network of 50 local offices across the country have the expertise and experience to deliver the searches and reports you need, when you want them and in a format that suits you. Our online ordering platform PSG Connect features a range of tools designed to streamline your workflows, allowing you more time to focus on other areas of the property transaction.

  • Advanced mapping system
  • Search alerts
  • Track and Trace facility
Our highly skilled staff are dedicated to delivering a professional and friendly service, and our in house search training accreditation scheme ensures that our clients have access to a local expert throughout the conveyancing process. PSG subscribes to the Search Code and is an executive member of the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO).
Contact: Stephen Murray Tel: 01226 246644 Email: customerservices@propertysearchgroup.co.uk Address 6 Great Cliffe Court Great Cliffe Road Barnsley S75 3SP

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