Practical and Commercial Aspects of the Regulations

How does one prepare for EPC
Firstly, keep your clients informed. The owners and landlords of property will be the ones who have to meet the costs, and they should be prepared for this eventuality as soon as possible. Secondly, as stressed in the article under 'Our Services', availability of building information will greatly assist the preparation of EPCs by reducing survey time. Plans, drawings and specifications will also make the survey more accurate. The normal 'owners documentation' of the building should be sufficient. Thirdly, plan ahead. Commissioning EPCs for a number of properties may achieve 'economies of scale' in an assessor’s fees. Inspecting a number of similar properties, or properties in a single estate at one time will bring economies.
What about cost ?
Enercert seeks to be competitive in the cost of producing EPCs, but with a view to achieving a robust and accurate result. Our assessments are always made with a view to the future significance of EPCs There has been concern among the regulatory authorities that some fee proposals are too low to support the work required. The CO2 rating will become an important figure in the letting or sales details of a property.
Pre-emptive action
Some investment portfolio owners are having their whole portfolios certified so that they are able to trade readily with market swings or unexpected opportunities. With a life of ten years, a certificate prepared now will out-last short-term tenancies, and give flexibility for immediate sales or re-lettings. Others take the view that energy is a very significant cost to which the market is rightfully sensitive. An early assessment, and effective upgrading of energy performance will be a cost-effective strategy in improving sale or rental income.
What should I do now
Consider the information above in regard of your clients and their portfolios. Prepare your clients and consider the properties currently on the market which will require an EPC. Discuss with your clients whether a 'whole portfolio' approach is to be considered.
Investigate the energy Assessors in your area. They are likely to be busy, so early contact is recommended.
Use the checklist in the 'Our Services' section as an aide memoir, and to streamline the survey and data processing. Back to start