Environment

B P Collins Solicitors: talk to the experts

Gerrards Cross: +44(0) 1753 889995
Beaconsfield: +44(0) 1494 675363

Government launches consultation on EPC accessibility

Practice group: Environment legal services

01 July 2008

The government has launched a consultation on the development of practical steps towards Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to change homeowner behaviour.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is seeking views on how to make EPCs more accessible and effective towards cutting pollution.

Following an EU directive all buildings which are newly built, sold or rented out from October will have to have an EPC, except for a few exceptions.

The DCLG said: "Information is the starting point. But it has to lead to change in the way householders and businesses use energy if it is to have any real value."

The government has already announced a Green Homes Service geared to ensure people living in the least energy efficient properties are targeted with help to improve them.

Officials hope the new consultation will help this scheme by examining how EPCs can be made easier to use.

Ideas include allowing search of the commercial register by address to know whether a building has an EPC, though not to download it.

Energy Performance Certificates rate the effiency of a home on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes, which should have the lowest fuel bills, are in band A.

Pat Davies, partner in the residential property team comments: "By October 2008 all buildings which are sold, rented out, or newly built - whether domestic or commercial - will have to have an EPC (energy performance certificate) which not only provides an assessment of the energy efficiency of the building but also recommends how it can be improved.

"However supplying the information is not enough, the government wants the certificates to lead to a change in energy being used more efficiently. The government has already announced a Green Homes Service which will target the least energy efficient domestic property by writing to the owners and suggesting ways to improve them.

"The consultation relates to who else should have access to the EPC registers apart from the seller/buyer/landlord/tenant and what information should be available for domestic and commercial properties. More information is available on the DCLG website and responses to the consultation should be made no later than 1st September 2008"