Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
The new requirements imposed on Estate Agents with regards to EPCs are as follows:
- a new duty on the seller to secure that an energy performance certificate (EPC) has been commissioned before marketing of the property commences where no such certificate is already available
- an EPC has been commissioned when a Domestic Energy Assessor has been instructed to prepare the EPC and the EPC has either been paid for or has given a clear undertaking to pay for it
- a new duty on the person acting on behalf of the seller to be satisfied that an EPC has been commissioned before commencing marketing
- a new duty on both the seller and a person acting on their behalf to make reasonable efforts to secure an EPC within 28 days
- all of the new duties carry fixed penalties where somebody fails in the duty conferred on them by the new regulations
