Building Energy Rating - what is it?

A BER is similar to the energy label for a household electrical appliance like your fridge. The label has a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient.

From the 1st of January 2009 a BER certificate is compulsory for all homes being sold or rented. If you are buying or renting a new house or apartment now, you are entitled to a BER - so do ask the seller/landlord or their agent for it.
All new homes (even when not for sale) must have a BER certificate before they are occupied as detailed under S.I. 666 under building standards BER assessments performed on new dwellings will also help determine compliance to Part L of the Building Regulations.

BERs will be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). A list of BER Assessors is available on the SEI website.

It is an offence for persons not registered with SEI as BER assessors to purport to carry out a BER assessment service for the purposes of the Regulations.

To see what a Building Energy Rating Certificate looks like please click here.

Estate Agents, Letting Agents, Landlords, Property Managers, Builders and Developers, Local & County Authority's

From 1st of January 2009 all buildings being sold or let are required by law to have a valid BER Cert.

Our team will liaise with all of the following groups/individuals to help them achieve their BER Cert or air pressure test requirements in a professional and most efficient manner:

• Estate Agents
• Letting Agents and Landlords
• Architects
• Engineers
• Solicitors
• Construction Companies (both large and small)
• Holiday home owners
• Holiday home management companies
• Shopping Centre management companies

AES are pleased to be able to offer attractive packages on our services for clients who have multiple properties requiring ratings.

There is a maximum fine of up to €5,000 for not having a BER cert when required
We will be pleased to tailor packages at competitive rates to suit your needs.

For further information please call 05787 56679 or email us.

Building Energy Rating Certs

A BER indicates the energy rating of a property. The BER is expressed in the form of performance bands "A" being the most efficient to "G" being the least energy efficient.

Key Implementation Dates

• Since the 1st of January 2007, all new homes for which planning permission has being applied for must have a BER cert. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new dwellings for which planning permission is applied on or before 31st of December 2006, where new dwellings involved are substantially completed on or before the 30th of June 2008
• 1st of July 2008 a BER cert will be required for new non domestic buildings offered for sale or rent. Transitional BER exemptions will apply to new non domestic buildings non domestic buildings for which planning permission is applied on or before 30th of June 2008 provided the new non-domestic buildings involved are substantially completed by 30th June 2010
• 1st of January 2009 BER Certs will be required for any existing building offered for sale or rent.
• There is a maximum fine of up to €5,000.00 for not having a BER cert when required

There are two types of BER certificates that potentially apply for new dwellings:

Provisional BER Certificates

A Provisional Cert is valid for two years must be shown to prospective house buyers. It's aim is to allow buildings to be sold from construction plans.

BER Certificates

BER Certs are valid for ten years and apply to new and existing dwellings for sale or rent.