On April 30th the government changed the rules for Energy Performance Certificates – it is now illegal not to include an EPC within 28-days of marketing a property for sale. Here atPhilip James Partnership we will need proof that an EPC has been commissioned BEFORE we can market a property for sale and non-compliance penalties range from £200 for a residential property to £5000 for a commercial property, depending on rateable value
THE FIVE NEW EPC RULES
RULE 1:
Before a seller places their property on the open market they must commission an EPC. This new rule covers all properties including residential homes, commercial properties and holiday lettings.
RULE 2:
An EPC must be available to view within 7-days of the property being placed on the market. Before 6thApril 2012 the deadline was 28-days. If an EPC is not produced within 7-days the vendor has 21-days to secure it. If the EPC is still not produced after this time a penalty charge will be incurred.
RULE 3:
The first page of the property’s EPC must be physically attached to the sale particulars. Again this includes all commercial and holiday properties. If a property address is omitted from the sale particulars it may also be omitted from the EPC
RULE 4:
An estate agent must check that an EPC has been commissioned before it can market a property for sale. The agent will require proof of commission, should they need to show it to EPC enforcement officers
RULE 5:
All EPCs Air-conditioning reports must now be placed in a central government register