Uptake of Commercial EPCs is slow

A recent study suggests that only 28% of commercial properties being marketed have the requisite EPC in place. Mainly this appears to be due to confusion in the regulations, rather than blatant rule bending by the Agents involved.

So how can this confusion be addressed?
> clearer guidelines. Issue much clearer guidance to agents about the EPC requirements in the commercial sector to allow them to better brief their clients.
> tighter legislation. Move the responsibility of the provision of an EPC away from the vendor to the marketing agent. They know the rules, if they are legally responsible, most will comply.
> policing / reinforcement. If penalties for non compliance are applied in a random fashion, people may well 'run the risk'; penalties should also be stiffer to act as a real deterrent.
> monitoring. central agencies should be monitoring local trading standards offices to ensure they are dilligent in this area of their responsibilities.

Until these reports are available to prospective building occupants, the awareness of building efficiency is impaired and a key part of the UK's climate change policy is left wanting.

Our work at Surrey Energy Consultants supports this point of view. Our workload is still very heavily skewed towards domestic rather than commercial property, although we do produce EPCs for both. Anything that improves awareness and compliance is undoubtedly good for our industry (and our balance sheets!), but is also absolutely neccessary to achieve the mindset change needed to achieve long term carbon reduction, and that is the ultimate aim we must strive for.