Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What percentage of carbon emissions are buildings responsible for?

A

40% of all emissions.

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2
Q

What have you read recently that demonstrates the RICS’s commitment to Sustainability?

A

Value the Planet page on RICS website – includes links to UN sustainable development goals

The RICS ‘The Futures Report 2020’ highlights the need for the industry to adapt to the important issue of climate change in a strategic, commercially focused and sustainable way.

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3
Q

What are our legally binding commitments to Carbon Emission Targets, and in what Act were they set? (For an extra point – What did Theresa May alter them to?)

A

1.Reduce Carbon emissions by 80% on the 1990 levels by 2050, from the Climate Change Act 2008. (Net Zero Carbon by 2050 in 2019).
2.COP26 – Conference Of the Parties
3.In advance of COP26, UK enshrines new target in law to slash emissions by 78% by 2035.

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4
Q

Does the Energy Efficiency of a Building Effect it’s Value?

A

Yes, investors and occupiers are increasingly conscious about the carbon footprint of the buildings they own and occupy. Property professionals are increasingly conscious of the responsibility the built environment has. Additionally an inefficient building is likely to be a fiscal (and therefore CAPEX) liability in future.

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5
Q

Why do we have Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)?

A

The EU Directive: Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010); which lead to the UK Government implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings (England & Wales) Regulations (2012).

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6
Q

What did the Energy Act 2011 Change for EPCs?

A

From April 2018, you cannot lease commercial or residential properties with an F or G-rating (two lowest ones).

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7
Q

Where do you find EPCs?

A

On the EPC register called the Energy Performance of Buildings Register from the Gov.Uk, there is a domestic and non-domestic register.

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8
Q

. What’s the Scale for EPCs?

A

0-150, gaps of 25, letters A-G. New building in the city of London benchmark would be c. a. 35

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9
Q

When are EPCs Required?

A

When a commercial building over 50m² is;
- Newly built
- Sold
- Leased for longer than 6 months
- Refurbished
- Heating/air conditioning is altered
- Lease is assigned / sub-let

And also for the Leasing and sale of residential property

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10
Q

Under what Circumstance might you not need an EPC?

A

If the building is listed, buildings that have no heating, religious buildings, temporary buildings, buildings that are due to be demolished.

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11
Q

What are the requirements in relation to EPCs when marketing a property?

A

You must commission the EPC within 7 days of beginning the marketing of the property (28 day limit for procurement). Agents are responsible for this, and only the letter must be displayed not the actual number if there is not enough space to do so.

All online marketing material must have a link to show the front page of the EPC document.

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12
Q

What is included on the front page of an EPC Certificate?

A

Property address, EPC reference number, Technical information on the property, estimated running costs, energy performance rating, benchmarking information.

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13
Q

How long is an EPC Valid for?

A

An EPC is valid for 10 years.

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14
Q

What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance with EPCs?

A

Local authority will fine you £200 for marketing a residential property without an EPC. For commercial the limit is 12.5% of the Rental Value of the Property (Collared at £500, and Capped at £5,000).

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15
Q

What are MEES?

A

MEES is the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (2015)

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16
Q

What are the changes that are happening to private rented property with regard to EPC rating?

A

Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England & Wales) Regulation 2015 –

New leases will not be able to be granted on properties (commercial and residential) with an EPC rating of F or G, as of the 1st April 2018.

As of the 1st April 2023 for existing leases (April 2020 for residential).

17
Q

Under what Circumstances would you be exempt from MEES?

A

If a property doesn’t need an EPC (places of worship, tenancy more than 99 years, low energy demand buildings etc…)
If increasing the EPC rating isn’t feasible assuming a payback period of 7 years. Quotes from 3 contractors must be sought for this.

Residential Landlords are required to spend £3,500 from April 2019 to bring the property up to E, if they do so and it doesn’t come up to E they can apply for exemption.

If the changes would reduce the value of the property by 5% or more then you do not have to.

Exemptions last 5 years and can’t be transferred at sale.

18
Q

What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance with MEES?

A

Failure to comply with MEES (2015) will result in fines of:
* If breach is less than 3 months: £5,000 or if great 10% of the rateable value (up to max of £50,000)
* If breach is more than 3 months: £10,000 or if greater 20% of the rateable value (up to a max of £150,000).
* MEES is Policed by Local Authority.

19
Q

What is the Climate Change Levy (CCL)?

A

Tax on energy consumption for businesses in the UK. Introduced as an incentive to reduce energy consumption by businesses. Charged directly by energy companies who pass it to the Treasury.

20
Q

What are DECs? And What Type of Building Requires One?

A

Display Energy Certificates are required for public buildings over 250m².

21
Q

What does BREEAM Stand For?

A

BREEAM = “Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method”

22
Q

What are the Five Levels of BREEAM?

A

There are five levels of BREEAM: Outstanding, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Pass.

23
Q

What is the National TOMs Framework?

A

The National TOMs Framework is a UK Government-led national social value measurement framework.

24
Q

What is the WELL Standard?

A

Aims at increasing health and wellbeing through construction and design. Popular with developers.

25
Q

What are display energy certificates?

A

DECs required for public building over 250 sq m. They display actual energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

26
Q

What is sustainable development to you?

A

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

27
Q

How was UK government attempting to implement net zero?

A

£12bn into the ‘green industrial revolution’, focusing on power generation sector.

28
Q

What was the EPC Rating for your case Study, and until when is it Valid?

A

E
Expires 21.10.29

29
Q

So I cannot renew an existing lease that has an EPC rating of below E as of 2018?

A

The date of commencement is 1 April 2018 for all new lettings. The regulations were phased in and applied to continuing lettings from 1 April 2020 for domestic buildings and 2023 for non-domestic buildings.

30
Q

What is the potential future change to the MEES Regulations?

A

The MEES is set to tighten further, requiring a minimum EPC requirement of B by 2030 (and an interim milestone of EPC C by 2027).