Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance Certificates are required from 4th January 2009 for the Commercial or Non-Domestic Buildings in Scotland.
Scotland along with the other EU member nations have an obligation under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to promote improvements in the energy performance of both new and existing buildings. Scientific studies have shown that the world’s natural resources such as oil, gas and solid fuels generate omissions with the main one being CO2 which has a direct contribution to global warming. The Scottish Climate Change Bill has set ambitious targets of reducing CO2 omissions by 80% by 2050. Currently omissions from buildings account for approximately 40% of all CO2 omissions.
The Scottish Government is introducing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
An EPC is a Certificate which states the energy efficiency of a building based on the standardised way in which a building is used. The Certificate is based upon the efficiency of the building and not the way it is used. CO2 ratings are showing in bands from A-G with A being the least polluting. The performance of the measured building is benchmarked against current Building Standards and recommended cost effective improvements.
The cost effective improvements within the EPC will reduce the carbon omissions generated, save energy and make buildings more attractive to prospective buyers or tenants. A building can be made more energy efficient by improving the heating system, insulation or air conditioning system.
The vendor or owner of a building will be responsible for providing the EPC at the time of any sale or lease transaction. However, prudent owners will produce an EPC at the time the building is being offered to the market to allow prospective new owners or occupiers to factor the building’s energy performance into their decision process. The building’s EPC must be available free of charge to any prospective tenant or purchaser.
Any public building greater than 1000m² occupied by Public Authorities or Institutions providing public services that can be visited by the public requires an EPC.
An EPC has a lifespan of 10 years and must be fixed to the building. If however major works are undertaken the building owners may choose to update the Certificate. If the vendor sells or rents the property the same EPC can be passed on if it has been produced within the 10 year period.
EPCs are not required for:-
- Buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m².
- Temporary buildings with the lifespan of less than 2 years.
An Energy Performance Certificate must be carried out by an approved organisation. Details of approved organisations and assessors are available via Organisations such as RICS. Graham + Sibbald is an approved Organisation with qualified Energy Assessors.
Local Authorities may serve Enforcement Notices and refer the matter to the Procurator Fiscal which could result in a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £5,000 per building for non-compliance with the new Regulations.
Finally, Graham + Sibbald understand that both the European Union and the Scottish Parliament are currently considering additional measures and requirements to be introduced as part of the EPC Legislation. Graham + Sibbald will keep you updated of any changes in the Regulations.
If you would like to discuss EPCs further or obtain a quotation or if you are unsure about whether an EPC is required then please call your local G+S office.
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Latest News
Graham + Sibbald scoring high!
25/01/2012Graham + Sibbald scoring high!
Graham + Sibbald is delighted to be one of the leading Chartered Surveyors, according to the CoStar’s Industrial Agency League Table 2010-2011.
Graham + Sibbald is pleased to report strengthening levels of demand for industrial properties throughout the central belt and the northern parts of Scotland. The Inverness office indicates a clear sign of increased activity of transaction of industrial units throughout the Highlands and Islands whilst Aberdeen has witnessed a healthy market for industrial accommodation throughout 2010 and continued into 2011.
We were awarded the thropies for being in the top 5 in the following categories:
Availibilty of Sq ft; Number of Instructions; Disposals Sq ft and Number of disposals.
Simpson Buglass from the Aberdeen office comments: "Aberdeen has witnessed a healthy market for industrial accommodation throughout 2010 and continued into 2011. This period saw Knight Property Group complete its very successful Kirkhill Commercial Park, Dyce with occupation of the c.60,000sqft offshore training and survival centre design and build for Survivex, and letting of c.14,000sqft Unit 3 to Schilling Robotics. The Chancellor’s surprise announcement of additional tax for oil + gas companies late March 2011 put a brake on the market for about eight weeks but activity is up again with disposals achieved across town and increased interest in lower cost units."
Photo: Ltr: Ian Gillies, Senior Partner & Alex Fowler, CoStar UK
Graham + Sibbald sell Georgian town house
19/12/2011Graham + Sibbald sell Georgian town house
Acting on behalf of the Freight Transport Association, Graham + Sibbald, Stirling Office have sold the impressive ‘B’ Listed Georgian Town House at 3 Melville Terrace, on the fringe of Stirling City Centre.
The building had been the Regional Office for the Freight Transport Association for the past 20 years. They have now relocated their Regional Office to Pavilion 1, Castlecraig Business Park, a modern office suite.
Liz Hollands, Fleet & Facilities Manager for Freight Transport Association, commented: “3 Melville Terrace has been purchased by a private individual whose intention is to convert it into a single dwelling. The Freight Transport Association now occupies modern premises more suited to an office function but still within Stirling, which has historically proved an important location from which to serve our members.”
Andrew Peel of Graham + Sibbald`s Stirling Office, was pleased to say: “A good level of interest was shown in this prominent Georgian building, with its many attractive original features and close proximity to Stirling City Centre proving of particular interest to all parties who made enquiries.
Latest Case Studies
Lothian Buses
"We have engaged Graham + Sibbald for over ten years on a variety of activites including rates revaluations, property acquisition and disposals, major building project management, planning applications and general property advise.
The fact that we have continually selected Graham + Sibbald as our advisors in all these matters for so long proves that we are very satisfied with their quality of service, professionalism and expertise."
Lothian Buses, Norman J Strachan, Finance Director
- Department:
- Commercial
- Partners:
- Les McAndrew
ALLIANCE TRUST PLC
"Alliance Trust plc employed the management services of Graham + Sibbald in May 2008 and have been delighted with the level of attention and detail received from the team - both in terms of rent collection and tenant / building issues. I would happily recommend Graham + Sibbald for portfolio management work in the future. "
Alliance Trust PLC, Emma Gilchrist, Investment Manager, Property.
- Department:
- Commercial
- Partners:
- Les McAndrew