With energy efficiency high on the agenda and much being made of the potential of the government's Green Deal to affect both households and businesses, it's important that commercial property investors understand their role in managing the green credentials of their portfolios.
For example, anyone who lets a business premises or is planning to sell one is legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property, which rates its energy efficiency standard from A to G, with A being the highest.
By ensuring that their assets are well rated and rank highly on the EPC scale, investors can make their holdings more attractive as companies look for buildings where they will benefit from lower energy costs.
Indeed, with many suppliers pushing up their charges, businesses will be targeting ways to keep their expenditure on energy to a minimum so as they can focus their finances on other areas.
If an EPC is not available to a prospective buyer or tenant then the landlord can be fined up to £5,000, so it is important to be aware of your obligations. Equally, prospective buyers and tenants should remember to ask for an EPC when viewing a property.
In certain premises a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is also a legal obligation, namely when a building has a total floor area of over 1,000 square metres and is frequently visited by the public.
Properties that fall under this remit tend to be those occupied by local authorities, while sports facilities, leisure centres and schools will also need a DEC.
Again, any attempt to market such buildings without a DEC can result in a £5,000 fine.
By ensuring that they're complying with the law on energy efficiency standards, anyone who lets commercial property or office space can make their assets more attractive while also reducing the risk of experiencing losses through fines - both factors that make it vital for owners and investors to keep a check on the EPCs attached to their assets.