Pictured above: Kevin Benson, Head of Commercial Property at
Fisher German
From the beginning of July commercial property owners and
landlords will face stricter regulations regarding the production
of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and ensuring they are in
place at the beginning of marketing.
The changes which will be implemented from 1st July will look to
reduce non compliance levels throughout the UK which have been as
low as about 50% for commercial property. Under the current rules,
instead of obtaining an EPC at the beginning of marketing some
landlords and property owners delayed until a sale or letting was
imminent, so as to abide by the regulations and successfully
complete a transaction.
The new rules will remove any doubt that the process of
obtaining an EPC can be put off. An EPC will have to be in place
within 7 days of a property being marketed, replacing the current
allowance of 28 days. All information must be displayed clearly on
written particulars, and will cover all commercial property whether
for rent or sale.
To further increase compliance, commercial property agents who
are marketing property will also be responsible for ensuring an EPC
is in place. Currently the onus is on the owner or landlord of a
property.
Trading Standards Officers will have increased powers of
enforcement to request the viewing of relevant documents related to
a property. Any party not complying, whether it is the agent or the
client, are likely to receive a substantial fine.
Kevin Benson, Partner at commercial agents Fisher German
comments "It is imperative that commercial property owners and
landlords are up to speed on the new legislation if they are to
avoid fines and market their properties effectively.
"The new rules will ensure more is being done to enforce EPCs on
commercial property. I urge commercial property owners to seek the
correct professional advice when marketing their property to avoid
any confusion over the new rules which come into effect in
July".
Kevin Benson is the Head of Commercial Property at Fisher
German. For further information, please contact 01777 719148 or
email kevin.benson@fishergerman.co.uk
For more information about Fisher German, please visit their
website here: www.fishergerman.co.uk