When is there an obligation on builders/building owners to have a Building Energy Rating for a dwelling ?
(1) Newly constructed dwelling (from 1.1.2007) When the new dwelling is offered for sale off plans: a provisional BER certificate must be produced by the vendor to potential buyers or tenants, based on the pre- construction plans; and when the same new dwelling is completed, a BER certificate must be supplied to the purchaser, based on the plans of the dwelling as constructed (to take account of any design changes during construction). When a new dwelling is built for a specific owner-occupier: A BER certificate must be procured by the person commissioning the dwelling, prior to taking up occupation of the dwelling. (2) Sale or letting of an existing dwelling (from 1.1.2009) A BER certificate must accompany an offer to sell or let an existing dwelling by the vendor or by the landlord or by their agent (e.g. auctioneer, estate agent, solicitor).
