Existing Properties
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
The requirement for an EPC is triggered when a building is sold or let. Note that you may already have a valid EPC, as by current legislation an EPC has a ten year life and will remain valid as long as no improvements (affecting the energy performance) have been made to the building.
An EPC may be required for other purposes (eg a FIT grant claim). There is no reason to prevent a ‘voluntary’ EPC being lodged at any stage, even if it is not a statutory requirement. Such an EPC would still need to reflect the building as it was on the day of a physical survey
We can issue EPCs for existing (non-domestic) buildings using data collected from an on-site survey, and are accredited to lodge EPCs on the Scottish EPC Register.
If you need an EPC for an existing dwelling then please feel free to contact us as we may be able to help.
- Section 63 Assessments
For non domestic buildings with a floor area greater than 1000m2 which have energy performance below that required by 2002 building regulations, a ‘Section 63’ Action Plan will be required in addition to an EPC. The Action Plan will identify a selection of physical improvements to the building, and will state an actual completion date for the measures. These must be completed within a 3.5 year period, otherwise the building owner will be in breach of the regulations.
- Display Energy Certificates
The implementation of a Section 63 Action Plan may be deferred, which requires a ‘Display Energy Certificate’ (DEC) to be commissioned and lodged on an annual basis until the improvements are carried out. This route may be adopted no later than a year following the date of the Action Plan lodgement, otherwise the original actual completion date will remain in force and the recommendations must be implemented within the 3.5 year period.
