Hosts get more time for energy changes

Licensees have been given yet more time to adhere to new regulations to advertise a full energy-efficiency certificate for their pub on all marketing material when selling up.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed that the new regulations for energy performance certificates (EPCs) will no longer come into force from 1 July.

It is rumoured that they will be introduced at the start of October, provided it is passed through Parliament before the summer.

The regulations say that property agents must make sure that an EPC is issued before a property is marketed.

The changes mean agents will have to issue an EPC within seven days of the property being marketed, instead of the current 28 days, or face a visit from trading standards officers.

EPCs, compulsory since 2008, show the energy efficiency of a property and how it could be improved.

Licensees should have an EPC before they market a pub, but experts say sellers are waiting until a pub is under offer before paying for an assessment, which costs around £300-£500 for a

typical pub.

Andrew Whelan, director of EPCforProperty, which provides EPCs for commercial properties, said: "This means that there is no change yet, but the clients need to expect the changes to come in and agents also need to continue preparing for the new regulations.

"I understand why there have been some delay because there are some practical issues that need to be addressed.

"The EPC will need to be displayed in full, including the name and address of the property, which could affect confidential sales."