On Tuesday 9 September, in response to ‘consumer
and industry needs’, the government amended
their timetable for the introduction of Energy
Performance Certificates.
While
any commercial properties to be sold, built or
rented after 1st October 2008 will still need
an EPC immediately, any building already on the
market at that date now has until 4th January
2009 to obtain one.
If
sold or let in the interim, an EPC must be commissioned
and handed over ‘as soon as is practicable’.
While
the delay, thought to be due to the shortage of
accredited energy assessors, gives some property
owners and occupiers a few more months to comply
with the new legislation, the issue still cannot
be ignored.
