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Commercial EPC and Display Energy Certificate rollout 'AT RISK'

In a remarkable update to my blog update of last week DEC assessors let down by CLG we have now received a further snippet of info from CLG which is more than enough to raise the proverbial eyebrow. After all, CLG have 'form' in the delaying of the rollout out of every key phase to date of both HIPs and EPCs. Remember last May 22nd, when with just a handful of days to go to June 1st, we had yet another delay to the HIP and EPC rollout announced? What would any of us wager on either:

a) A delay of the rollout to the third phase of the commercial EPC rollout due to start in October

b) Zero policing of the rollout and no fines issued hence allowing a 'soft' rollout but at the same time allowing the commercial property professionals to continue without taking on board the need for EPCs. Maybe a fudged compromise with the insertion of a default certificate with a rating of 200 and a G rating?

Anyway, here's the Freedom of Information Act request with CLG seeking to know the number of Non Domestic Assessors in Training, both Qualified and Accredited. The response received last Thursday was

"At this time, the harm that may be caused to the success of the project, which is in the public interest, outweighs the general public interest of disclosure."

What a stunning reply, yes it may be honest, but to the commercial property world who have had some years to prepare for the rollout, and certainly the whole of 2008 to prepare for the October rollout, this looks only slightly less than shambolic.

I guess the next step is to take one of the options above. The DEC rollout has already been watered down with a significant reduction in the number of buildings that need a full DEC to be completed following last weeks 'clarification' from CLG.

However, to make it easier for public authorities with multiple buildings on one site to comply with the legislation, a site-based approach for the first year is to be allowed where it is not possible to produce individual DECs. This means that only one DEC will need to be produced based on the total energy consumption of the buildings on the site. Public bodies most likely to be affected by this approach are NHS Trusts, universities and schools.

The story doesn't stop here, lets see what the next chapter brings!

Labels: CLG-holding-their-breath-as-the-commercial-EPC-rollout-cat-begins-to-topple-out-of-the-bag Commercial-EPC-and-Display-Energy-Certificate-rollout-at-risk