Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1314505
8 NEWS 3.12.2020 THE Building & Construction Agency (BCA) is tasked with enforcing regu- lations relating to the Energy Perfor- mance of Buildings (EPB), as per Di- rective 2010/31/EU. An EPB refers to the calculated amount of energy need- ed for the typical use of a building. These promote improved energy performance practices of buildings within the European Union, while also considering the indoor and out- door climate requirements and local conditions. These regulations, which came into force in 2009, state that an owner or property agent shall obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when- ever a building is constructed, sold or rented out. This shall be obtained from an inde- pendent EPB assessor once it has been registered with the BCA. One should note that the owner or agent who commissions the design of any new building shall possess an EPC prior to obtaining a development permit from the Planning Authority. This must be based on the design rating of the building, as detailed by these regulations. Moreover, those selling or letting a property must pro- vide this certificate to the prospective buyer or tenant before entering the promise of sale or rent agreement. In any case where a building is sold or rented out before it is built, the seller is to provide a design rating EPC for the building. This must be given to the buyer or tenant prior to the date of entering the promise of sale or rent agreement. The certificate with a notarial deed should also be included with the at- tached documents. Furthermore, a new EPC would need to be provided if the energy performance character- istics change during construction. The BCA ensures that an EPC is is- sued for any building unit that is con- structed, sold or rented out to a new tenant, and for buildings with a total useful floor area over 250m2 that is occupied by a public authority and frequently visited by the public. Having said that, it is important to note that one is not required to issue an EPC when a certificate is already available and still valid. This must be in line with these regulations and is- sued for the building unit in question. However, it is important to note that a new EPC must be issued when the property is sold and the new owner intends to carry out major renova- tions or demolish the building. In such case, the current owner may be exempt from issuing an EPC, giv- en that the new owner makes a dec- laration to the BCA that the existing building will not be used at all until the renovation or new construction has taken place. A new EPC will then be required in accordance with the renovation or new building. Moreover, EPCs may only be issued by an EPB assessor, who must be rec- ognized by the BCA or anyone who is authorised to act on its behalf. The agency provides all measures that are required to establish and maintain a system for EPCs to be registered. It is important to note that the cer- tificate must contain the EPB and ref- erence values; including the minimum energy performance requirements which make it possible for owners or tenants of the building to compare and asses energy performance. Furthermore, the EPC may also in- clude information, such as, buildings' annual energy consumption and the proportion of total energy consump- tion that is generated from renewable sources. Recommendations for cost-effec- tive and efficient improvement of the building unit should also be included in the EPC. Such recommendations may include measures related to major renovation of the building envelope or technical building systems, as well as, meas- ures related to individual building el- ements that are independent of major renovations. EPCs issued in line with these reg- ulations are valid for a period of ten years, given that no major renovations are carried out. The agency enforces these regulations by randomly select- ing a percentage of all certificates and verifying their validity. More information about EPCs and other regulations is available at www. bca.org.mt Regulations relating to the energy performance of buildings