January 11, 2013

There’s been some confusion over how the new EPC regulations, which came into force on Wednesday (more here), affect historic buildings (listed buildings are exempt). The Government has countered this by issuing a rather pithy QA which should clarify things.

Here you go:

Q. Can you explain the requirements in respect of historic buildings?

A. Any building which has been listed by English Heritage (or its Welsh equivalent) is exempt from the requirement to have an EPC on its sale or rent.

Q. How do I check whether a building has been listed by English Heritage?

A. See: www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/listed-buildings

Q. The regulations qualify the exemption by only exempting such buildings where compliance with certain minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance. How do I know whether this applies to my building?

A. We have included that qualification because, in line with Government policy, we have adopted a copy-out approach to the Directive which means that, as far as possible, we have transposed the exact text into domestic legislation. But in practice, it does not impact the exemption. That is because there are no minimum energy performance requirements for listed or historic buildings.

Q. Are buildings that are part of a designated environment, such as a conservation area, required to have an EPC?

A. Yes. The only buildings that are exempt are those listed by English Heritage.

Q. What are minimum energy performance requirements?

A. The term minimum energy performance requirements refers to the energy efficiency standards required by the Building Regulations. They apply to new buildings and existing buildings that undergo major renovation. They do not apply to existing buildings that have not undergone a major renovation.

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