Property Agents Flout Commercial EPC Law.

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Commercial property agents are failing to comply with regulations on energy performance certificates (EPCs).

Between 27 April and 22 May, EPC accreditation body National Energy Services (NES) contacted 108 agents on the pretext of acting for clients interested in buying or renting a typical high street office or shop. Agents were given until 1 June to respond.Eighty-eight of the agents failed to produce an EPC. Almost half of those said the certificate was not necessary or could not offer an explanation as to why no certificate was available.

A spokesman for Communities and Local Government (CLG) claimed that of the 2.6 million commercial property sales since the implementation of EPCs, only a small percentage did not have an one, suggesting that NES had been “unlucky with some dodgy estate agents” in its sample. He said it was the responsibility of Trading Standards to enforce compliance. He was surprised at the disparity between CLG’s figures for sales (rental figures were not available) and the findings of NES.

NES found that either the EPC appeared within 48 hours or not at all. Nearly half (47%) of the agents who could not supply an EPC said it wasn’t necessary or could not explain why one was not available; 36% said they would only get an EPC at the point of sale – a breach of the legal EPC requirements; and 17% said they believed an EPC was being undertaken at the time.

Austin Baggett, deputy managing director of NES, said the survey sprang from anecdotal evidence from NES members. He said many had not seen the expected amount of work with the introduction of mandatory EPCs, and estimated the compliance level at 20-30%. “I was expecting about 40% compliance, but we felt we had to test the theory and address the concerns coming from assessors,” he said.

Baggett suggested a tightened legal requirement that placed responsibility on the estate agent, not just the owner of the property. “The feedback from estate agents is that property owners often don’t care. As a result some agents have let the issue slide. Tightening up that legal loophole could help the situation.”

Baggett said what was missing was clear guidance from CLG. “What we’re hearing is an ambiguity in guidelines and the understanding of guidelines. Anecdotally Trading Standards have a mechanism in place to enforce this, but CLG need to set out more Jack and Jill, simple guidelines for EPCs.” Since the implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in January, it is a legal requirement that all commercial buildings being marketed for sale or rent have an EPC available to inform prospective buyers or tenants about the property’s energy performance.

Ecowise employ accredited energy assessors to use the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) method to produce Commercial EPCs, and can provide you with a competitive quote for this service. Email us now with your requirements at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The certificates, which are valid for 10 years, will also be accompanied with a recommendations report of possible cost-effective improvement measures to the building, along with advice as to how the measures, if implemented, would reflect well on the energy rating of the building.

There are also penalties for failure to make an EPC available for prospective buyers or tenants, and this is, in most cases, 12.5% of the rateable value of the property, with a minimum fine of £500 and a maximum of £5000. Once the fine has been paid, the relevant documentation will still need to be produced.

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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast

Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.

The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.

The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.

Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.

The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
Micro-generation forms key part of Government's vision.

Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has launched a consultation on the Government's strategy to boost energy self-sufficiency in communities.

The public debate about microgeneration will look at ways to ensure the quality of generating technology and its installation, how to improve available products, and how to develop the microgeneration supply chain while providing more accessible advice.

The consultation follows last week's news that the Government is to overturn a ban on councils selling "green" electricity back to the national grid by the end of the year.

Mr Barker said“I want to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy. We can literally bring power back to the people.Microgeneration is a key part of this vision.

“By becoming more self sufficient we can create sustainable local energy economies. People and communities can save money on their fuel bills at the same time as generating an income and cutting carbon. I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust.”

More information can be found on the Microgeneration Strategy consultation web page
Green policies could hit UK manufacturing hardest.

A report from the think-tank Civitas warns that the increasing cost of energy, which has been driven up as a result of green policies could hit the UK's manufacturing sector - just as the country needs industry to help boost the economy.

The report said efforts to tackle climate change through cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy generation could significantly push up energy bills for business.Extra costs are put on energy from policies including the EU's emission trading scheme, the renewables obligation to boost investment in technology such as wind power, and the climate change levy which taxes energy use in businesses and the public sector. Also, the Labour Government's climate change strategy had already added an extra 14% on homeowners' electricity bills and 21% on business bills.

Last year's renewable energy strategy could have created "surcharges" of up to 70% for businesses, and 33% for domestic customers by 2020, the report from Civitas claimed. The study warns the new coalition Government's energy policy could be as damaging to manufacturing industry as the previous administration.

The review by economist Ruth Lea and Jeremy Nicholson, director of lobbyists the Energy Intensive Users Group, said the UK was badly placed to meet its commitments to boost renewables as it was starting from such a low base. Even without the extra costs imposed to pay for climate change policies, Britain has high industrial electricity prices, which threaten its competitiveness.

Ms Lea said: "The economy desperately needs a competitive and thriving manufacturing sector if it is to prosper. Competitive energy prices are vital to the success of manufacturers, especially energy intensive users.Government energy policies are, however, remorselessly driving up energy costs thus risking the 'migration' of manufacturing plants to economies where the costs are lower."

Property Agents Flout Commercial EPC Law.

Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast

Micro-generation forms key part of Government's vision.

Green policies could hit UK manufacturing hardest.