The government has delayed the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates, which was due to begin on 6th April.
Andrew Gent of Gent Visick said: “As with HIPs, it has become clear that there are insufficient qualified assessors available to meet this date and a transitional arrangement has been put in place.
“But before property owners and occupiers push the thought of certification to the back of their minds, they should remember that the changes only defer responsibility, and forward planning is still vital to ensure compliance with the legislation.”
Under the new arrangement, any building which is on the market before 6th April and remains on the market after that date will need an EPC by 1st October at the latest.
However, if it is sold or let in the interim, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over to the occupier as soon as reasonably practicable.
This means that the obligation to provide an EPC will still apply from 6th April 2008 for units over 10,000 sq m and from 1st July for units over 2,500 sq m, albeit that the certificate need not be sourced until 1st October 2008 or as soon as reasonably practicable following a sale or letting.
