Energy Performance Certificate
Legal
In conformity with EU regulations, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the law in Hungary has been extended this year, requiring the presentation of a valid energy certificate (green card for a property) for apartments sold and rented after January 1, 2012.
Act 176/2008. (VI. 30.) on Certification of the Energy Performance of Buildings came into effect on January 1, 2009. The requirement for existing properties, apartments was optional until December 31, 2011. Now it has become mandatory.
Exemptions
The requirement does not apply in case of apartments where…
- The floor area is less than 50m2
- The property is in a listed heritage building and/or in an area under the administration of the National Monument Society and is classified as “protected”
- Usage is less than 4 months a year
- Premises serve a religious purpose
- The internal heat produced by technologies in construction exceeds 20 W/m2
The Certificate
The energy certificate tells us what the annual energy consumption of the property is in average weather conditions. In case the property does not meet requirements, a proposal is given to address the issues.
The energy performance of the property is ranked on an internationally recognized scale (from most energy efficient A+ to inadequate I, with C, meaning it meets requirements, and F, being average) for energy efficiency. There are hardly any buildings in Hungary over category C.
It is valid for 10 years.
Only certified and registered experts are allowed to issue the certificate, who are accountable to a national regulatory authority. They are listed on the web site of the Chamber of Hungarian Architects and Chamber of Hungarian Engineers. CE Invest works with reputable professionals and always attaches the credentials of the registered expert to the energy certificate upon issuance.
Common Practice
Since this is a new situation, there is considerable confusion on the market about it. It helps to look at things from a practical point of view:
Why is this important for apartment owners?
Tenants and Buyers are asking for it.
What potential buyers and tenants have picked up from the media buzz is that they have the right to demand this document, which may give them further grounds for negotiation. Therefore, even if in certain cases, it is not required legally, we strongly recommend performing the survey and issuing the certificate, because when people inquire about the apartment, they are looking for it. Inability to produce this document certainly weakens the owner’s position and makes other “properly documented” properties seem like they are more favorable.
It is our policy at CE Invest to issue the certificate for each apartment under our management, so we can see the actual energy status of the property on the one hand, and, on the other hand, compete on equal grounds in the market.
Conditions of Apartments
Many of the apartments in old buildings in Budapest will have a poor rating in terms of energy efficiency. This is due to inadequate insulation and outdated heating systems, improper management and irregular maintenance of the buildings. Some of the newly-built apartments, especially on top floors of buildings, may also hold surprises in terms of energy efficiency.
This should not discourage any apartment owner, for neighboring apartments will also have similarly poor ratings. In cases where the cost of an upgrade in the apartment is justified by a much higher rental or sales price, CE Invest will call your attention to it.
Now that there is a unified standard, tenants and buyers have better grounds for comparison and with rising energy costs, the better ratings will help sell or rent the property.
Service
The no-hassle service provided by CE Invest is swift and thorough.
It consists of two phases:
1) Survey
Our engineer obtains all the necessary legal and technical documentation of the apartment and the building, liaising with the building management company and local municipality.
A thorough on-site survey is performed, where actual measurements are compared with existing documentation and blue prints.
2) Analysis
The data thus collected is entered into a nationally accredited computer software to produce the current energy efficiency performance of the property.
The certified expert (energy assessor) verifies the data, then issues and signs (stamps) the certificate accordingly.
Cost
CE Invest charges a one-time 230 euros plus VAT for this service.
This includes EVERYTHING from start to finish:
1) The collection of data for the survey
2) All paperwork involved
3) Liaison with the authorities and engineers
4) The on-site survey itself
5) All call-out costs, irrespective of how many times experts have to go out to the apartment
6) Moving the process forward through all the stages until certificate is issued
7) Expert fees
8) Registration and proper filing of the certificate
This is a significant project in our company, which we are taking very seriously, with a number of people working on it. The main coordinator of the engineers, surveys, and processing is Magdi Ohegyi magdi@catherinedickens.com Phone +36 1 354 0912, Skype: ceinvest.magdi. Magdi has overseen several construction projects and knows how to protect owners’ interests. Feel free to give her a call in case you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Andras Patkai
