LEGISLATION

From 1st January 2009, all homes offered for sale or rent will be required by law to have a Building Energy Certificate (BER) certificate, with fines of up to €5,000 for non-compliance.

The idea behind the BER certificate is to encourage energy efficiency and, by spelling out the performance of a building, give potential purchasers or tenants an idea of how energy efficient the property is. Each assessment will ascertain exactly how much energy and carbon a house will use or produce over a given year, and the performance will be rated from A to G. (A indicating the most energy efficient and G the least).

Valid for ten years from the date of issue, the assessment will address space and water heating, ventilation lighting and insulation. Owners will be required to supply a BER certificate when selling or renting a property.

The sole exemptions will be properties that are listed or are of historic or architectural importance. Therefore, the law will affect the vast majority of Irish homeowners.