CHANGE OF USE / CONVERSION / RENOVATION

When a property undergoes a Change of Use then an EPC is required....not quite!

When a property changes from being a Dwelling (Use Class C3 Dwelling houses) to being put to a Commercial use (all other Use Classes incl. C1 and C2), a change that will have required planning consent, then a Commercial (Non-Domestic) EPC will be required. Similarly, when Commercial premises are converted to use as a Dwelling, a change that will have required planning consent, then a Domestic EPC will be required.

The type of EPC required (On-Construction/SAP or Existing Building/SBEM/RdSAP) will be driven by the extent of conversion works and any requirement for Planning Authority consents and Building Control oversight. A change of use likely to require an On-Construction EPC might include the conversion of agricultural (or industrial) buildings, such as old barns, in to residential homes.

When commercial premises change from one Use Class to another this is not identified as a 'trigger point' and a new EPC is not generally required. However, if for example a Restaurant (Use Class A3) underwent conversion to another use such as a retail shop (Use Class A1) or professional office (Use Class A2), then not only would this generally require planning consent, but also it would be good practice to commission a new EPC as this would better reflect the energy efficiency of the premises following removal of commercial kitchen extraction and the significantly changed lighting and heating needs of the premises, thereby giving a more accurate indication of energy costs to a potential buyer or tenant. A more accurate understanding of the energy costs associated with your property could contribute to the buyers/tenants decision to proceed with their offer and of course the value of the offer that they make!

Not so much a Change of Use, more a Change of Layout......? Read more.