The Department of Communities and Local Government has announced that changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations governing the production of energy performance certificates (EPCs) will not now come into effect until 6th April 2012.

The changes essentially mean that:

• An EPC (for both domestic and non-domestic properties) will have to be commissioned before marketing commences and secured within 28 days
• Persons acting on behalf of the seller or landlord (i.e. estate agents) will now be required to demonstrate that an EPC has been commissioned, if so requested
• The first page of the EPC will have to be provided with all ?written particulars? although the address shown on the EPC may be omitted if the particulars do not contain the address.