Compulsory Energy Certificate For Buildings

From 1 January 2012, an energy certificate must be produced when buildings are sold or let.

The certificate will remain valid for 10 years and must be obtained by the developer, the owner or the landlord (as appropriate). It must be prepared by a duly authorised engineer or professional company.

The requirement applies to certain buildings when: 

• if newly-built, it starts to be used
• if it is an existing building, it is bought or sold or is let for a term of more than a year
• if it is a publicly owned building with more than 1,000 m² of usable floor space

A certificate is not required when ownership is transferred before the occupancy permit is granted, or when a co-owner acquires an ownership share.