The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 sets out minimum efficiency standards and this year they come into effect for non-domestic property. There has been a lot of coverage of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), but what does it mean for the various stakeholders in a property? Below is a quick high level summary: Landlords From 1st April 2018, a landlord cannot enter into a new tenancy agreement if the building has an…

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) come into force 1 April 2018. Are you ready? Do you know what the implications are? In relation to commercial buildings, the standards will require properties subject to new leases and renewals to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of at least an E rating. How can this be achieved if your building falls short of this? We would recommend looking at your current EPC rating and checking the…

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has implemented a new approach to new residential development standards for low carbon homes. The policy wording states: “‘Zero carbon’ homes are homes forming part of major development applications where the residential element of the application achieves at least a 35 per cent reduction in regulated carbon dioxide emissions (beyond Part L 2013) on-site. The remaining regulated carbon dioxide emissions, to 100 per cent, are to be off-set through a…

A recent survey carried out by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has found that nearly 70% of office workers in the UK are concerned that poor indoor air quality could be having a negative effect on their well-being. Also worryingly, approximately 33% feel that this could also be affecting their health. This is particularly topical due to more awareness of general health and well-being in the workplace and the increasing profile of the Well…

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) has been in force since 2011, but is being phased in over a number of years. One of the latest phases applied from 1st July 2016 and relates to the fire performance requirements of construction products, including cables that are fixed in a building. CPR will require all cables marketed in the European Economic Area (EEA) to carry a CE mark. To get a CE mark, all cables will require to…

Many of the current legal obligations for energy management are based on EU legislation, such as DECs and ESOS, so will Brexit affect the way be manage energy in the future? The answer, like most Brexit answers at the moment, is ‘maybe’. Unsurprisingly environmental and energy management legislation is complex and will take some unpicking, but here is a synopsis of what we do know: UK Legislation such as Climate Change Levy, Enhanced Capital Allowances…

EPC and the forthcoming changes: From April 2018, the proposed legislative changes by the Department for Energy & Climate Change would make it unlawful to let residential or commercial properties with an EPC Rating of F or G. The new requirements will apply to both  domestic and non-domestic as highlighted in the time line diagram below: 1st April 2016 (Tenant’s energy efficiency improvements): From 1st April 2016, any domestic tenants potentially have the right to…