Commercial property body calls for clarification on EPCs

Posted 25/06/2009

The government has been urged to clarify the rules surrounding Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) in relation to commercial property.

According to the Institution of Commercial Business Agents, EPCs must be made available when details on a property are requested.

However, chairman Michael Hare said many agents are not sending them out with initial marketing materials, even if they have them on file.

Speaking to Property Week, he said some property owners have expressed concern that they incur financial penalties as a result.

“Some direct criteria and guidance from the government would clarify the problem,” he commented.

Mr Hare added that the responsibility for providing an EPC to those looking to make a property purchase should rest with the owner rather than the agent.

Meanwhile, John Richards of property group Hammerson has expressed optimism about the future of the commercial property market.

He told the Independent that the rate of decline in valuations is slowing and that prices could begin to rise again as early as the third quarter of this year.