Government announces delay to EPC changes

July 2011

Two changes to the current requirements in respect of EPCs were expected to take place on July 1 and October 1.

However the Government has announced a delay as the Regulatory Policy Committee, which scrutinises new regulations, has yet to give clearance.

The delay means that all the EPC changes are now likely to be introduced later in the year although we have yet to be told of any new dates.

No doubt there will be pressure to lay the Statutory Instruments prior to the summer recess.

As previously reported, the changes would still have allowed the marketing of a property without an EPC providing one had been ordered.

In addition, the time to make one available was to be reduced from 28 days to 7 days.

These changes were meant to have come into effect from 1 July 2011.

From October, there was to have been a requirement to produce more than just the graph on details although we are still in discussion with the Department as to exactly what this would mean.

The Department has promised more information shortly.