EPC Surveys (Level 3-5) and MEES Improvement Reports

Upon instruction, one of our engineers with visit the building to carry out a site survey. The survey investigates the building construction along with the Heating, Lighting and other HVAC services used to condition the occupied space.

Using the information gathered on site, along with researching any relevant technical documentation, a 3D model of the building is created using Government approved software and all the relevant data is inputted.

Using the 3D model, A simulation of the buildings yearly energy demands and associated carbon emissions is then run, which creates the EPC Rating.

The simulation and rating is then lodged on the official Government register at which point the certificate becomes the legal document.

If the rating is not desirable, we can advise how to improve the building and become compliant with the current and future MEES legislation.

Only accredited energy assessors can issue EPCs. These professionals undergo training and certification to accurately assess and report on a property’s energy performance.

More complex building such as those with Atrium require a Level 5 assessment. The majority of EPC assessors are not qualified or have the technical expertise to carry out these assessments. At SEA Consulting, our highly knowable engineers are qualified to carry out level 5 assessments.

Luckily for you, SEA Consulting are able to perform EPC surveys from Level 3-5!

EPCs are typically valid for 10 years if no major renovations have occured on the building.

If you have an existing EPC, check its expiration date. If it has expired, you’ll need to obtain a new one to comply with regulations.

Not achieving the minimum MEES rating for rented properties will leave a landlord liable to enforcement action by Local Weights and Measures Authorities (LWMAs). Depending on how far the breach goes, the authority may impose a financial penalty up to £10,000 or 20% of the rateable value of the property (whichever is greater), up to a maximum penalty of £150,000.

Although the rules are convoluted, a general rule of thumb is that a separate EPC is required on each individual space being sold or let in a single transaction.

Where there is a communal heating system covering a whole building or site, a single EPC may be produced for that property. That EPC may then be used for letting / selling separate parts of the property that are served by the communal system.

If there is an valid EPC for the whole property as well as parts of the property (i.e. first floor), then both EPC are valid, however the EPC can only be used to sell / let the space that is covered by that specific certificate.

If a new EPC is carried out on the whole property or parts of the building, then this will supersede the old EPC, even if the old EPC has not expired.

Yes. According to a recent report by JLL a single EPC band improvement can increase property value by 3.7% and rental income by 4.2% according to a JLL report.

RICS introduced the Sustainability and Commercial Property Valuation Paper in 2009. This requires all RICS valuers to factor in sustainability performance to their asset valuations. There is increasing evidence that buildings with a better energy performance should be valued higher than those that do not.

With energy costs at record highs and continuing to rise, tenants are becoming more aware of the importance of running costs to their bottom line. As the EPC is meant to give an indication  of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions, the rating is becoming a more important factor in their decision process. 

With the future of the MEES legislation looking to tighten to a minimum B rating in 2030 for commercial properties, potential new owners are taking improvement costs into account when it comes to the potential asset value and are adjusting their offers to suit.

Investment funds are one of the largest investors in commercial property. As part of their annual ESG reporting and SECR reports, they need to disclosed their overall carbon emissions. With EPCs measuring the CO₂ emissions of a property they are being used as part of their reporting strategy and are trying to improve the EPC rating of their portfolios.

Yes. With MEES now in affect, lenders are now making the EPC rating part of the finance terms to reduce their risks. At present most lenders are requiring a minimum E rating on properties in line with the current MEES regulations, which is having an impact on asset valuations.

Some lenders will now only lend on assets graded C or above and others will not lend on assets that are F or G rated, unless there is a robust improvement plan in place.

With the MEES regulations looking to tighten to a minimum B rating in 2030, they will adjust their lending terms to reflect this change in regulations.

In theory if a lease was signed without a valid EPC, it is potentially not a valid contract.

Yes, if reverting the property to its original fit out would drop the EPC rating below the mimimum MEES requirements.

As an example: SEA Consulting were hired by a tenant to help reduce their £4M dilapidations claim on a 91,000 sq.ft property. Reverting the property back to the original fit out would have dropped the EPC rating below the minimum MEES requirements, thus making the property unlettable for the landlord. We successfully helped challenge the claim in court to reduce the tenants dilapidation costs to £1M.  It is therefore important that landlords improve the rating to meet the future regulations.

A significant percentage of the UKs building stock now has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) grade. All of this information sits on a government database. Although not confirmed, there is increasing expectation that the Government will introduce differential Business Rates based on a building’s EPC Rating.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that assesses the energy efficiency of a property. It provides information about the property’s energy use, carbon emissions, and offers recommendations to improve efficiency.

EPCs are a legal requirement for most properties when they are sold, rented, or constructed. They help potential buyers and tenants understand the energy efficiency of a property, making informed decisions.

nergy efficiency is measured on a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least. The certificate includes ratings for the current energy efficiency and potential improvements.

It’s advisable to obtain an EPC as early as possible in the property transaction process. This allows potential buyers or tenants to consider energy efficiency alongside other factors when making decisions.

During an assessment, an accredited energy assessor will evaluate various aspects of your property, including insulation, heating systems, and lighting. The data collected is used to generate the EPC.

While an EPC itself may not directly impact property value, having a high energy efficiency rating can make your property more attractive to eco-conscious buyers or tenants, potentially influencing its market value.

In some cases, there are government grants and incentives available to support energy efficiency improvements. Check with local authorities or energy efficiency programs for the latest information.

If your property has a low energy efficiency rating, the EPC will include recommendations for improvement. Consider implementing these suggestions to enhance energy performance and reduce operating costs.