Till now Energy Performance Certificates were mandatory for residential properties. However, a new legislation which will come into effect in April 2008 would require commercial buildings which are up for rent or sale and have a floor area exceeding 500sqm to get the Energy Performance Certificate of their property. The legislation would come onto full force by October 2008 since all commercial establishments would be required by law to obtain a certificate. Every prospective buyer of the commercial building should have access to the Energy Performance Certificate of the building which should be handed over to the owner once the sale of the property is through. In case of rented properties, the new as well existing tenants would be required to be given access to the Energy Performance Certificates of the property.

Why we require them

EPC is needed to check homes that endanger the environment by consuming energy and emitting harmful greenhouse gases into the air. It is even true for commercial establishments and buildings. The increasing environmental hazard posed to the environment by commercial buildings is the reason for the introduction of the legislation. The commercial property Energy Performance Certificates would be helpful in rating the commercial property and would like the Energy Performance Certificates issued for houses, propose steps which would help in improving the rating. Since the certificates are only in the offing, the indications are that Energy Performance Certificates might be similar but may differ slightly from those issued to residential properties. Apart from helping reduce carbon emissions, commercial property Energy Performance Certificates would help businesses in a positive way by helping them cut costs by suggesting ways to save on energy bills.

Whom to approach for commercial property EPC

Energy Performance Certificates can be issued only by accredited assessors. Your best bet would be to approach Wilbourn Associates who offer professionals who can assess your property, whichever kind it is, and then have it evaluated for its Energy Performance Certificates.

The chartered environmental surveyors, Wilbourn Associates also offer other services to their clients such as providing environmental impact assessments, environmental impairment insurance and helping them iron out property management issues and conducting asbestos surveys on sites. Not only is the company involved in assessing the contamination of sites, it is also actively involved in providing help and advice and in actually cleaning up contaminated sites.

For any help regarding these and similar issues, the professional help offered by Wilbourn Associates can be sought by accessing their official website www.environmental-surveyors.com. The site also lists the other services offered by the company and provides useful articles which might help you tackle land contamination and assessment related problems.