Ian is a self-employed Professional Chartered Building Consultant specialising within the Built Environment. His work generally involves building surveying, architectural design and energy assessment for both residential and commercial buildings.

With over 25 years of construction related experience, qualified to Bachelor of Science degree level (2:1), a Corporate Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Society of Professional Engineers (SPE), the Society for the Environment and a Fellow member of the Association of Building Engineers (ABE), Ian provides the professional expertise which includes a detailed understanding of statutory regulations, technical codes and standards. Ian is also an accredited member of Elmhurst Energy Systems (OCDEA). Given the above, he shares a huge commitment to environmental best practice as he holds the title of ‘Chartered Environmentalist’.

Ian’s academic qualifications and experience to date establishes proven knowledge and commitment to professional standards. As Ian is a fellow and corporate member of several professional bodies and governed by rules of conduct, he acts with utmost integrity and carries out his professional work with due skill, care and diligence. He also understands the need to have proper regard for standards of service and customer care that is expected of him.

Did you know that buildings produce nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions? That’s almost twice that of cars and planes. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions. Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's) are being introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. If you are buying or selling a home you now need a certificate by law. From October 2008 EPCs will be required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. EPC's for can only be produced by accredited Energy Assessors. Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient. IPB Associates are Accredited Energy Assessors and can provide you with the necessary EPC's for existing dwellings.

Advice to landlords, builders and solicitors

On Rent:
When buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants. The EPC and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by a landlord to a prospective tenant at the earliest opportunity and no later than:

• when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective tenant; or • when a viewing is conducted; or
• if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell or let. An Energy Performance Certificate does not have to be made available if:
• the landlord believes that the prospective tenant is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase or rent the property or is not genuinely interested in renting that type of property; or
• the landlord is unlikely to be prepared to rent out the property to the prospective or tenant (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination) Homes will require an EPC on rent from 1 October 2008. An EPC for rented property is valid for ten years.

On Sale (solicitor)
The seller is responsible for ensuring a certificate is made available to all prospective purchasers at the earliest opportunity. The Energy Performance Certificate and recommendation report must be made available free of charge by the seller to a prospective buyer at the earliest opportunity and no later than:

• when any written information about the building is provided in response to a request for information received from the prospective buyer; or • when a viewing is conducted; or
• if neither of those occur, before entering into a contract to sell. An EPC does not have to be made available if:
• the seller believes that the prospective buyer is unlikely to have sufficient funds to purchase the property or is not genuinely interested in buying that type of property; or
• the seller is unlikely to be prepared to sell the property to the prospective buyer (although this does not authorize unlawful discrimination) For the marketed sales of homes, including homes marketed before they are physically complete (i.e. off plan), Home Information Pack (HIP) regulations apply. Where a HIP is required an Energy Performance Certificate must be produced as part of the pack (for off plan homes this will be an indicative energy assessment). References to marketed sales of homes mean marketed sales of homes which are physically complete when marketed. Homes sold without marketing for sale e.g. by private treaty between family members or Local Authority housing will require an EPC on sale from 1 October 2008.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’, where ‘A’ is the most efficient and with the average to date being D.

Example of energy efficiency rating graph for homes

EPCs are measured using the same calculations for all homes, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties. Part of the EPC is a report which will list the potential rating that your home could achieve, if you made the recommended changes.

The report lists:

• suggested improvements (such as fitting loft insulation)
• the approximate cost
• possible cost savings per year if the improvements are made
• how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property

You can use this information to:

• cut your fuel bills
• improve energy performance in your home
• help cut carbon emissions
• help you choose a more energy efficient home to rent or buy

Does everyone need an EPC?
The EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent.

Sellers or buyers of homes
All sellers of homes need to ensure that they provide a Home Information Pack which includes an EPC for potential buyers. An EPC must be made available to a potential homebuyer – free of charge.

Builders
An EPC needs to be provided to buyers of newly built properties.

Landlords
If you are a landlord, you’ll need to make an EPC available to prospective tenants the first time you let a home after 1 October 2008. An EPC is only required for a property which is self-contained, and is valid for 10 years. An EPC isn’t required when a tenant rents a room and shares facilities.

Tenants
If you are interested in renting a property then an EPC must be made available to you free of charge. An EPC is only required for a property which is self-contained, and is valid for 10 years. If you are a prospective tenant, an EPC isn’t required when you rent a room and share facilities. If you are not in one of the above categories Even if you do not fall into the above categories, you can still apply for and receive an EPC. This may be because you want to know what the energy efficiency of your home is and implement improvements suggested by the recommendation report.

How do you get an EPC?
EPCs can only be produced as a result of a survey by an ‘accredited’ Domestic Energy Assessor. EPCs are used to collect standard information on the property – for example, its size and hot water/heating systems. The information is then fed into a government-approved software programme which produces the EPC.

How much will it cost?
The price of an EPC is set by the accredited organisations which issue them. When you obtain a Home Information Pack, the overall cost should include that of an EPC. If you apply for an EPC on its own then the cost for an average house is approximately £100.

How long will it take to get one?
Obtaining an EPC for an average sized home is likely to take the same time as a house valuation report which has to be prepared when a property is put up for sale. The exact time will vary from property to property.

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