Fears over lack of EPC assessors

Licensees selling their pub could soon face rising costs and delays in getting it to market due to a lack of qualified assessors for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

The claim comes after a poll by website commercial-property.co.uk found only around 100 qualified surveyors currently available to conduct an EPC survey.

From October 1, all commercial property bought, sold, or leased will require an EPC - showing the buildings energy rating. EPCs are already required for buildings over 2,500msq.

Before a certificate is handed out, pubs will need a thorough site and fixed services survey - with the size and lay-out of the building affecting the cost.

Robert Street, of Solihull-based surveyors Edgeworth Street, which appears on commercial-property.co.uk, said: "I have seen the findings of the survey and am shocked, but not surprised.

"The problem lies in the fact that some people will see the new legislation as a gravy train to be exploited.

"As long as clients don't get tricked into using assessors that don't have the suitable experience and ethics, and stick to a tried and trusted chartered building surveyor, they should be safe from the rampant profiteering that we are expecting."

Anthony Reiss, senior negotiator at agents A.W. Gore, agreed there was a worrying shortage of assessors. "Engineers having been hanging on to get qualified, as it costs to get a certificate, but people are going to have to do it," he said.

Reiss also suggested there could be a delay with the legislation being enforced, similar to the fiasco over HIPs.

He warned: "There's a lot more to this than people realise."

For more information on EPCs visit: www.direct.gov.uk/epc