Sustainability Flashcards
(30 cards)
What did the RICS and UN publish on sustainability?
Advancing Responsible Business in Land, Construction, Real Estate Use and Investment 2018.
Sets out how organisations can identify and address the impact of their activities and decision making in terms of commissioning, planning, designing and operating buildings.
How does RICS help in encouraging sustainability?
RICS publish evidence based research.
What Professional Guidance have sustainability mentioned?
RICS Rules of Conduct 2021
RICS Global Red Book 2024
RICS Professional Standard: Sustainability and ESG Guidance in Commercial Property Valuation and Strategic Advice 2021.
RICS Professional Standard: Environmental Risks and Global Real Estate 2018
What is SKA?
A rating system for the fit out of commercial properties. Ranked brozne, silver, and gold.
What act was ammended in 2019 that requires the UK to achieve net zero by 2050?
The Climate Change Act 2008.
What is the interim target for Net Zero?
78% by 2030.
What is the name of the pledge a number of REITs have committed to achieving net zero?
Better Buildings Partnership Pledge (BBP)
What is the framework outlined by the The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)?
- Establish Net Zero Scope
- Reduce Construction Impacts
- Reduce Operational Energy Use
- Increase Renewable Energy Supply
- Offset Any Remaining Carbon
Why were EPCs introduced?
To make people aware of a building’s energy performance and the potential energy savings.
What are the 5 key provisions set out in the EPC system?
- Higher standards of energy convervation for new and refurbished buildings.
- Establishing a calculation methodology for the energy performance of buildings.
- Minimum requirements for the energy performance of all buildings.
- Energy certification for all buildings when built, modified in certain cases, or when leased or sold.
- Mandatory inspections of boilers and air conditioning in all buildings.
When is an EPC required?
If the property is 50sqm or more
When it is newly built, sold, or let for more than 6 months
When it’s newly refurbished and heating or air conditioning or ventilation is altered
When the building is subject to building regulations for construction.
EPC is required when subletting or assigning
Sale or lease of residential buildings is also included.
When is a property exempt from an EPC?
Listed building
Buildings which have no heating
Religious buildings
Temporary buildings
Buildings due to be demolished/redeveloped
Residential units not occupied more than 4 months a year
What are the EPC requirements for marketing?
Must be issued within 7 days of the commencement of marketing
Agents are responsible for procuring EPC
Only the actual energy rating is to be displayed on property and advertisement
All online marketing materials must have a link to the EPC front page
What is on an EPC front page?
Address of property and floor area
EPC Certificate 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.
What are the penalties in failing to provide an EPC?
Local authorities enforce this
Residential: £200 fine for non display of EPC in marketing
Commercial: 12.5% of rateable value of the building, minimum £500 and max £5,000.
What is MEES?
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards 2015.
Sets out that buildings require a minimum EPC rating of E to let from 2018 onwards.
This applied to new leases (commercial and resi) from April 2018 and all existing leases from April 2023 for commercial properties.
What are the exemptions to MEES?
If a building does not need an EPC, i.e. place of worship
Industrial units or workshops with a low energy demand
Where the tenancy is less than 6 months with no security of tenure
Where the tenancy is for more than 99 years
When it is not feasible
When it would devalue the property by more than 5%
What are the penalties for non compliance of MEES?
Policed by local authority:
Commercial property -
Breach under 3 months - Fine up to £5,000 or 10% of rateable value capped at £50,000.
Breach over 3 months: Fine up to £10,000 or 20% of rateable value capped at £150,000.
Residential -
Breach under 3 months: Fine up to £2,000
Breach over 3 months: Fine up to £4,000
What are the potential changes to MEES?
There were proposed changes to EPC and MEES to raise the rating to C for new tenancies by 2024 and to all tenancies by 2028. This proposal was scrapped.
It is still proposed that EPC rating of B will be required by 2030.
What is Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)?
Energy assessment scheme for large UK firms that employ more than 250 people. They are required to measure total energy consumption across buildings, transportation and industrial activities
They also have to conduct energy audits
What is the Heat Network Regulations 2014?
Relates to the provision of heating systems in multi occupied commercial property. States that consumers must be provided with accurate meter readings and bill information.
What is the Climate Change Levy?
Energy tax on non domestic users - consumers are charged by energy providers who then forward it onto the UK Treasury
Renewable energy is exempt from CCL
What is Display Energy Certificates?
Required for public buildings over 250 sqm
They display actual energy used and carbon emissions
