Commercial EPC certificates

A commercial Energy Performance Certificate rates the energy performance of a non-domestic building or building unit, such as an office, shop or warehouse. A qualified non-domestic assessor considers the building fabric and services and produces a registered certificate with a recommendation report. It is different from a domestic EPC.

In England and Wales, a non-domestic EPC is generally required when a qualifying building is constructed, sold or let. It gives prospective occupiers and purchasers comparable energy information. Some buildings and transactions are exempt, so the building use and assessment boundary should be checked first.

Check for a valid certificate before putting a commercial property on the market or completing a qualifying transaction. If none exists, commission the assessment before marketing. For a new building, discuss the EPC alongside the completion and building-control process.

A commercial EPC is normally valid for ten years, unless a newer EPC replaces it. It is not an annual inspection. A fresh certificate may be needed when a qualifying sale or letting is planned and no valid certificate is available.

The sale or letting process may lack required energy information and the enforcement authority can issue a penalty for non-compliance. Building-specific exceptions and the responsible party depend on the circumstances. Check the official non-domestic EPC guidance before marketing.

The site time varies with floor area, building use, complexity, services, access and the quality of existing plans. A small straightforward unit and a mixed-use building need different scopes. Send drawings and plant information where available so we can discuss a realistic visit and delivery plan.

Provide the address, approximate floor area, use, plans and any previous EPC. We review the assessment boundary and complexity, confirm the applicable price or bespoke quote, arrange the appropriate assessor and deliver the lodged certificate and recommendations.