From January 2006, the Energy Performance of Buildings European Directive (EPBD) is being introduced. This European legislation will bring sustainability officially into the commercial property arena and will impact everyone who owns any form of commercial building.
Firstly the directive demands minimum energy performance standards for all new buildings and for all large existing buildings (above 1,000 sq m) that are subject to major refurbishment. In the UK, these measures will be incorporated into a revised Part L of the Building Regulations.
The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates is the key to this legislation. Whenever a building is constructed, refurbished, sold or rented out, a certificate will be required – and in public buildings it is to be prominently displayed.
This will make the entire property stock accountable to the demands of increased energy efficiency. The certificates will, for the first time, allow the prospective tenant or investor to make an objective comparison between buildings based on energy performance
With as many as 300,000 commercial buildings either constructed, rented or sold each year, the industry faces a massive task. It has been estimated that anything up to 10,000 qualified assessors will be necessary to inspect all the buildings in the UK and GVA Grimley’s Building Project Management & Consultancy team is gearing up to make sure we and our clients are prepared for this greening of property.
Martin Hoyle, partner, GVA Grimley LLP
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