The British Property Federation (BPF) has urged the Government
to provide clarification over when it will become a legal
requirement for commercial properties to have an improved energy
efficiency rating before they can be rented out for business
use.

The trade body has called on the nation's leaders to decide
exactly when it would be illegal for commercial property landlords
to rent out office space for commercial use
that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F- or
G-.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF, added: "The property
industry is doing a great deal despite the economic downturn to put
its house in order. But it needs clarity from Government as to
exactly when F- and G-rated properties will be unlettable and a
clear roadmap going forward.

"The economic woes have made things difficult but sustainability
as an issue isn't going away."

The BPF estimates that around 600,000 commercial properties are
currently being used with an F- or G- efficiency rating and would
therefore be affected by the 2011 Energy Act which will require
properties to revamp their workspace in line with new
sustainability guidelines.

The 2011 Energy Act contains powers that enable the Secretary of
State to implement new guidelines no later than 1st
April 2018.

Linda Fletcher, property and environmental law expert of Pinsent
Masons, believes the restriction on landlords letting properties
with poor EPC ratings is subject to there being finance available
to carry out the necessary improvements.

"This is all part of the Government's strategy to meet the
Climate Change Act targets in reduction of emissions," she
said.

"It is widely acknowledged that the biggest challenge lies with
the existing building stock in the UK. To date the EPC system and
various incentives have not led to the emission reductions that are
required to ensure the UK is on the right trajectory to achieve
these targets."

Image: fabiennew

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