When Does a Commercial Property Need an EPC?

Sale, letting, construction and material changes

A non-domestic EPC is normally required when business premises are sold or rented, when a newly constructed building is completed, or when certain changes create or alter parts designed for separate occupation and extend fixed building services.

The seller or landlord should make the certificate available to prospective buyers or tenants. The assessment must be completed by an accredited non-domestic energy assessor with the appropriate level for the building’s complexity.

Display duties are separate

A commercial building must display an existing EPC where it has more than 500 square metres of total useful floor area, is frequently visited by the public and an EPC has already been produced for sale, rental or construction. Public authority buildings may instead have separate Display Energy Certificate duties.

An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, but a new assessment can be useful following major changes to fabric or building services.

• Confirm which parts of the building are included
• Check whether one certificate or separate certificates are appropriate
• Identify the installed heating, cooling and ventilation systems
• Use an assessor qualified for the building level

Common exemptions require careful checking

Official examples include certain protected buildings, temporary buildings, places of worship, low-energy industrial or agricultural buildings, detached buildings below 50 square metres and buildings due for demolition where the required evidence exists.

Mixed-use, shell-and-core, vacant and subdivided premises can be fact-sensitive. Confirm the assessment scope before marketing rather than assuming the whole property is exempt.