Sustainability Flashcards
What does MEES stand for
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
How is RICS helping introduce sustainability into practice
Evidence-based research
Best practice statements e.g. Guidance Note on Sustainability and Commercial Property Valuation, 2013
Best practice training
Energy use in clients’ buildings and associated regulation (e.g. energy performance certification and minimum performance standards)”
What legislation requires all buildings in Europe to be subject to energy labelling and energy use reduction?
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
What are the FIVE key provisions of the EPBD?
- Higher standards of energy conservation for new and refurbished buildings.
- Establishing a calculation methodology for the energy performance of all buildings.
- Minimum requirements for the energy performance of all buildings.
- Energy certification for all buildings when leased or sold
- Mandatory inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings”
What is an EPC
Energy Performance Certificate
When is an EPC required
EPC is required for all commercial buildings over 50 sqm
When it is newly built, sold or let for a term of more than 6 months (& less than 99 years). Also applies for sub-letting and assignments of leases
When it is newly refurbished and heating, air conditioning or ventilation services are altered, and/or the building is subject to Building Regulations for construction
What properties are exempt form an EPC
Listed buildings
Religious Buildings
Temporary buildings
Buildings due to be demolished
Res units unoccupied more than 4 months a year
Buildings with no heating
What are the EPC marketing requirements?
Must be commissioned within 7 days.
Agents are responsible for procuring EPCs
Only the actual energy rating is required to be displayed on property and advertisements. Where space allows, the graph should be shown.
All online marketing material must have a link to the EPC to show the front page of the EPC”
What is included on the front page of an EPC
Address of property and floor area
EPC certificate and reference number
Technical information on the property’s energy provision
Estimation of energy running costs
An energy performance rating from A+ to G
Benchmarking information”
How long is an EPC valid for
10 years unless the building has been altered
What are the penalties for non-compliance on displaying EPCs
Commercial: max penalty is equal to 12.5% of the Rateable Value of the building (a minimum of £500 and maximum of £5,000 fine)
Enforced by the Local authorities Trading Standards”
“What do the Minimum Energy Efficiency
Standards (MEES) as set out in the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations, 2015 require?”
“Minimum EPC rating of Level E. Implementation was in stages:
- New leases from 1 April 2018 (for both commercial and residential properties) to include lease renewals/extensions
- All existing leases from 1 April 2023 for commercial properties”
What are the penalties for non-compliance with MEES
“Breach has lasted less than 3 months – up to £5,000 or (if greater) 10% of the Rateable Value with a maximum penalty of £50,000
Where a breach has lasted more than 3 months – up to £10,000 or (if greater) 20% of the Rateable Value with a maximum penalty of £150,000”
What does BREEAM stand for?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
What are some of the environmental standards that BREEAM assessors have reference to?
Energy consumption
Water use
Transport links
Waste management
Health & wellbeing
