New regulations came into force yesterday which state that all properties for sale or to let must include a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate on all advertising.
The new regulations are part of a European Union directive to have the energy ratings included on all marketing materials. These requirements apply to advertisements in: newspapers, magazines, brochures, leaflets, advertising notices, vehicles, radio, television, internet (including apps and social media) and direct mail.
Introduced in 2009, BER certificates are essentially a guide to the energy efficiency of a property. They rate a property on a grade from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient.
Speaking to The Irish Times about the new regulations, Tom Halpin of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) said they would likely have an impact on asking and rental prices.
“In the original legislation the BER certificate had to be made available to a person looking to buy or rent, but it was a passive transaction and it was up to the buyer or tenant to look for it,” says Mr Halpin.
“The new regulations will mean the BER rating is prominently displayed and will help inform a purchaser or a tenant’s decision. The ESRI last year found that a price premium was being paid for properties with a higher energy rating.”
Failure to comply with the new directives can result in a fine of up to €5,000.
