By 1st of January 2010 and according the Buildings Laws 142 (I) 2006 and 30 (I) 2009, all buildings which are sold, rented out or newly built, whether domestic or commercial, will have to have an energy performance certificate.

Energy Performance Certificates show how efficiently the fabric of the building is designed (the “asset rating”). Certificates are accompanied by recommendations, which set out both measures, which could be taken relatively easily, and longer term measures to improve energy efficiency.

An EPC is valid for ten years once produced. The only exception is for house sales, where an EPC must under current legislation be no older than a year when included in a Home Information Pack.

An EPC for a home, which is sold, must be commissioned and paid for by the seller: it must be made available to prospective buyers, and is given to the successful buyer to keep. An EPC for a rented home is commissioned and paid for by the landlord, and must be made available to prospective tenants and given to the eventual tenant. An EPC for a newly built home must be given to the owner when construction is complete.

Display Energy Certificate “DEC” must be displayed for every public building or building over 1000m2, providing a public service to a large number of persons. The DEC is subject to renewal on an annual basis. The DEC illustrates the actual energy usage of a building and its operational rating.