Commercial EPCs in Central London

Commercial EPC assessor near me? Thats us!

Central London is very much our home turf - Haptic EPC was founded by experts in the Central London Commercial property industry and it's where we're based. Our services here range across the ever-entertaining West End, the commercial hub of The City and the rising star of London Bridge.

Commercial / Non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

What is an EPC?

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) offer a clear and straightforward illustration of a building's energy efficiency. They play a crucial role within the Government's Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations and are mandatory for both domestic and non-domestic buildings. We specialise in the non-domestic (Commercial) variety, specifically in and around London.

Following an EPC survey, buildings are rated in the form of a colour-coded bar chart with a corresponding letter, ranging from 'A' the most efficient to 'G' the least efficient. The building owner receives a copy of the certificate and it is lodged on the publicly viewable government register. The landlord also receives a recommendation report based on the findings of the survey giving them further steps to improve the energy efficiency of their building.

When do you need a commercial EPC?

They are a legal requirement for non-domestic buildings and a valid EPC must be produced upon construction, sale, or lease of the premises. In a few very specific circumstances it is possible to gain an exemption from EPC. Whilst they are enforced by local authorities in practice it is often the solicitors acting in a property transaction that raise the requirement for a valid EPC as part of their due dilligence.

What happens if you dont have a valid EPC?

As of April 2023 the regulatory baseline moved to make it unlawful for landlords to lease or sell buildings with an EPC rating 'F' or 'G,' this also pertains to existing leaseholds and tenancies. Violations of MEES regulations can result in financial penalties of between £5,000 - £150,000. Anticipated future regulatory updates include a minimum 'C' rating in 2027 and a 'B' rating by 2030.

How will EPC regulations change in the future?

How long does an EPC last?

EPCs remain valid for a period of 10 years from the date of lodgment, unless they are voluntarily updated with a new EPC often in the event of significant building refurbishment taking place. There are calls for the lifespan of EPCs to be reduced to 5 years to reflect the gathering pace of building improvments across the UK.

How we can help with your commercial EPC in Central London

Haptic EPC & Advisory specialises in rapid on-site surveys in and around London, we aim to inspect your building as soon as is convenient with reports completed within a few working days. We offer a premium same day EPC service for landlords in urgent need. We also provide practical advice to enhance energy efficiency of buildings.

In a few cases involving the most complex buildings a Level 5 EPC may be required, this is a proportionally larger undertaking requiring specialist software and assessment in which we are also fully qualified. We can also help you to obtain EPC exemptions as well as BREEAM certification for your building.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Commercial EPC in Central London

1. Pre-survey

Before your EPC survey providing the following information is highly beneficial, it is an 'ideal' list so don't worry if any of these are missing:-

A current, to-scale floorplan.
The building's construction history, including any significant refurbishments.
Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) manuals.
Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manuals.
Lighting design specifications (including spare bulbs).
Records of any condition-based surveys, often conducted at the time of purchase.
Details of recent contractors or fit-out companies that have worked within the space.

2. Your Site Survey

Our EPC surveys are conducted by fully qualified & insured Non-Domestic Energy Assessors (NDEAs). These surveys are typically completed in less than an hour and are designed to minimise disruption to your staff. Our assessors focus on the key areas of:

Walls
Windows
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Hot water systems

It's essential to note that any areas or equipment inaccessible to the assessor are assumed to have default, less efficient values. Therefore, ensuring access to all areas and equipment is in your best interest.

3. Post-Survey

After the on-site survey, the gathered data is meticulously collated and entered into SBEM energy calculation software. This step yields two primary outcomes:

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a score ranging from 'A' to 'G'
A Recommendations Report detailing energy-saving suggestions.

This phase of the process constitutes the most time-consuming part. In fact, approximately 85% of the total time required to generate an EPC is in data analysis.

4. Your EPC Report

Once your EPC score has been calculated, our assessor will promptly get in touch with you to discuss the result.

We then proceed to list your certificate on the official government register, a process known as "lodgement." This ensures that your EPC is publicly accessible and is official from that moment onwards.

In addition to the public listing, you will also receive digital copies of both the EPC and the recommendation report. Many of our clients find this comprehensive package sufficient to continue with their business happily. However, for those seeking more specialised guidance on achieving energy savings, our Advisory service is available to provide expert assistance.

Commercial EPC ratings explained from A+ to G

EPC A+

Ultra rare, super premium property - think 'Grand Designs' but built by committed energy champions, expect substantial premiums for rental, purchase or construction. to achieve A+ rating the building in question must have negative levels of emissions i.e. it generates more energy from renewables than it consumes. Less than 0.2% of buildings in the UK are A Plus rated.

The best EPC assessors for central London property

Expertise with a Local Touch

We've lived and worked in West End property for over a decade. From the retail extravagance of Oxford & Regent Street in the West End to the high-rise temples to business dominating The City’s skyline and the bustling commercial stretch around London Bridge, our expertise somehow seems to be at its very best when 'in town', probably because we're familiar with the buildings, streets and property jargon - its a world all of its own.

Our office is located at 21-27 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1N 3GS - in the heart of London

Prompt, Precise, and Professional Service

Nowhere is the phrase 'time is money' truer than in Central London, whether you're in desperate need of a 'rubber stamp' EPC to allow a deal go through or to begin the ball rolling with a BREEAM assessment for your development to get the green light, every hour and day counts. We were founded specifically to tend to this demand, as such we deploy rapidly from your initial contact and understand that you don't want to be left in the lurch waiting for a certificate. We pride ourselves on providing a prompt service but if you need an EPC extremely urgently you should consider using our premium same-day service.

Now available: Domestic EPCs

Spring 2024: In addition to our market-leading energy assessments for commercial property we are now delighted to offer domestic EPCs in central London particularly for mixed use buildings (where we can perform both domestic and commercial) as well as on-construction EPCs and assessments for prime and super-prime residences.

Some Central London EPC case studies:

Whether its super-prime office space or hotels in central London, we offer top tier Non-domestic EPCs for a diverse range of commercial properties in the West End, The City, Clerkenwell, Soho, Noho, Mayfair, Bloomsbury, Holborn and London Bridge areas. Click below for our full Portfolio.

EPC Case studies Mayfair Clerkenwell London Bridge

Postcodes include:

Central London Postcodes:

EC1: EC1A, EC1M, EC1N, EC1P, EC1R, EC1V, EC1Y

EC2: EC2A, EC2M, EC2N, EC2P, EC2R, EC2V, EC2Y

EC3: EC3A, EC3M, EC3N, EC3P, EC3R, EC3V

EC4: EC4A, EC4M, EC4N, EC4P, EC4R, EC4V, EC4Y

West Central London Postcodes:

WC1: WC1A, WC1B, WC1E, WC1H, WC1N, WC1R, WC1V, WC1X

WC2: WC2A, WC2B, WC2E, WC2H, WC2N, WC2R

FAQs

Q: What is the minimum EPC rating required for commercial properties in London?

Q: How often do I need to renew my commercial EPC / How long do they last?

Q: Can improving my EPC rating really save my business money?

Q: What are some common recommendations for improving EPC ratings?

Q: How does an EPC impact leasing or selling my commercial property?

Q: OK - we're sold, when can you survey our space?

EPCs in Central London deep dive

Introduction to Commercial EPCs in London

London leads the way for the property market nationwide and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have become a cornerstone in London's commercial property sector, a legally mandated commitment to sustainability and efficiency. We argue that by the end of the decade they will be one of the most important metrics a building is judged on, as important as location and design have been in the past. As the city continues to grow, these certificates play a pivotal role in shaping a greener built environment. It is vital that building owners seek the best insights and guidance as they look to navigate this crucial aspect of property asset management.

The Importance of EPCs for London Businesses

The 'green pound' is a very real phenomenon with an increasingly large number of businesses seeking to actively minimise their environmental impact, buildings with the highest EPC ratings attract up to a 15% rent uplift as firms are willing to pay a premium for them -a 15% rental premium translates directly into increased capital value of the asset itself. Undertaking a full granular EPC survey with advice remains pound-for-pound the cheapest way to improve the value of your asset.

Legal Implications and Compliance

As of April 2023, regulatory changes have elevated the standards further, making it illegal to have buildings rated 'F' or 'G,' regardless of their leasehold or tenancy status. Violations of this regulation can result in financial penalties of between £5,000 - £150,000. Anticipated future regulatory updates include a minimum 'C' rating in 2027 and a 'B' rating by 2030. It is also widely anticipated that financial penalties will increase to match the increasing urgency with which this matter is being taken. It falls to local authorities to enforce compliance and to fines.

Energy Efficiency Measures and the Recommendations Report

The recommendations report which accompanies all EPCs should be carefully examined, it will highlight some key areas for improvement, one of the things we specialise in at Haptic is taking the broad brush strokes of the report and expanding on it in a meaningful way with clients (should they wish) we can explore in-depth solutions and even model what those changes might mean for the buildings EPC rating, appropriate works can then be contracted and if required a re-certification of the space.

Case Studies: Success Stories in London

We are immensely proud of our unblemished record with hundreds of happy customers and over a million square feet of certified space - take a look at our portfolio of work to see the wide range of buildings we've surveyed in every corner of the Capital.

Services

We offer the following building energy solutions in central London and beyond

Commercial EPC

We offer commercial property owners rapid and accurate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and advice on how to make improvements to their property's energy efficiency.

Click here for a full run down of the key facts about energy legislation and a step-by-step walk through of a survey from the moment you contact us to receiving your new EPC.

Advanced EPC Services

For when a straightforward EPC just isn't enough. We are well positioned to offer you a whole host of additional services from insightful advice, non-lodged EPCs, EPC exemptions along with providing the highest detail computer modelled Level 5 EPCs for the most complex buildings in London.

Click to read more

BREEAM & Beyond EPC

As a market leading company we can go beyond the confines of the mandatory EPC system and also assist your building or development to achieve certified status under the BREEAM and WELL schemes too.