How sellers and landlords of commercial buildings can avoid a £5000 penalty

Since 4 January 2009, all commercial buildings must have an Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) whenever that building is sold, built or leased.

What is an EPC?

An EPC is a certificate containing information intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of any investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building. The EPC is also accompanied by a recommendation report, which contains suggestions for the improvement of the energy performance of the building that could be made to save money and energy, and which is issued by the energy assessor who issued the EPC.

When an EPC must be provided?

When a commercial building is to be sold, assigned, leased or subleased, the seller or landlord must ensure that any prospective buyer or tenant is supplied with a valid EPC, free of charge, at the earliest opportunity.