The Government has been urged to use its latest consultation on energy performance certificates (EPCs) to create clarity over the status of listed buildings.
Rural property consultancy and agency BCM says there has always been confusion about the status of listed buildings and EPCs when it comes to property sales and getting an exemption.
Andrew Bays of BCM said an exemption requires evidence in the form of a surveyor’s report stating what might or might not be achievable and a statement from the local planning authority that making changes to the listed building would introduce unacceptable alterations to show that the building cannot be improved.
He says this is the crux of the problem as the exemption has to be re-registered every five years, involving the same constant outlay of costs, possibly more than £1,000 each time.
Given the pressure on planning officers to deliver new homes, seeking advice on EPC needs could be seen as less important, leading to long, and possibly expensive, delays, he said.
Bays added: “It would be far better for all concerned if one of two things could happen.
“Either listed buildings need a permanent exemption from the EPC requirement, given that most prospective buyers or tenants realise they are likely to be old and inefficient and don’t need an EPC to prove the point, or it needs to be accepted that listed buildings can be altered even if it makes changes to their appearance. Currently, planners will not accept this.
“Buildings have always evolved to keep pace with contemporary demands and many listed buildings have done so with owners making considerable changes in times gone by purely to keep pace with the fashion of their day.
“Surely it is not impossible that modern rules could be adapted to allow for sympathetic improvements bringing listed buildings into line with modern energy efficiency demands.
“If these buildings are set in aspic and never allowed to adapt, eventually they could become uneconomic to maintain with landlord owners avoiding the five yearly cost of registering their exemption, removing much needed homes from the lettings market and risking their deterioration.
“It is wasted money that could be better spent on improving the buildings to reach the best standards possible.”
The Government call for evidence about the effectiveness of EPCs and ways to improve them ends on October 19.
Agree clarification is required considering that an EPC is part of section 21 compliance
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register
The govt need to re-think the whole of the EPC ( and most other things its done in the past few years ) there is bias and lack of standard terms across residential accommodation.
You must be logged in to like or dislike this comments.
Click to login
Don't have an account? Click here to register