With the expansion of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) in April, water and energy compliance specialist Genex has been inundated with requests for its EPC services over the past few months.
Government regulations which previously only covered new leases with ratings lower than E in England and Wales were extended on April 1 to cover renewing existing leases on commercial buildings.
Without a rating of E or higher letting properties even with a tenant in situ will be prohibited – with commercial property agents saying this will affect a staggering ten per cent of offices in London alone.
The impact of lost revenue on office and other commercial buildings which fail to comply with the tighter EPC regulations will be enormous, says Genex senior environmental consultant Wayne Maw.
Owners who continue to rent out non-compliant properties will be subject to fines under this scheme. Others will suffer financial losses during the fallow period while work is carried out to upgrade existing building stock to the minimum levels, he added.
In addition, as well as commercial buildings requiring an E rating from this spring, property owners are likely to need to prove their buildings are even more energy efficient within the next few years.
A government consultation currently under way is considering moving incrementally to a minimum of a D or C rating by 2027 and possibly a B or above by 2030.
“Any non-domestic premises without an E rating or above can simply not be let out. And that’s potentially a huge amount of lost revenue,” explained Wayne.
He adds that many of the landlords appointing Genex to carry out an EPC have been planning ahead and asked for advice on achieving a rating higher than E.
“An EPC lasts ten years, but if the rules change in, say, 2027 and they have only achieved an E they will no longer be compliant. So rather than waiting until that day comes, we’re suggesting they take steps to futureproof their buildings to save paying for two EPCs and possibly losing income while they carry out energy efficiency improvements,” he said.
The EPC process can identify where energy efficiency improvements can be made. The Genex team can advise on the impact on the EPC rating of straightforward actions, such as switching to LED lighting or installing insulation.
If it’s more complicated, or there is no obvious single solution Genex will prepare a MEES report, which provides suggestions on how to improve the EPC level.
“We will model different versions, looking at lighting, heating, heat pumps and insulation, for example, which will show how different actions can improve the rating.”
A MEES report is also vital for buildings which may be exempt from energy efficiency improvements. Alterations to an old building, for example, may not be financially viable. But an exemption would only be granted with evidence outlined in the report.
“If none of the suggestions will pay for themselves within seven years the building’s owner can claim an exemption. With current rising fuel prices though, the payback period which may previously not have been financially viable may, after all, pay for itself within the timescale. Future versions of the MEES may have different criteria around exemptions,” added Wayne.
