You are now required to have a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate issued for the a building before you can move into your new home.

Since January 2007 all new houses “offered for sale or rent”, must undergo an energy performance assessment under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, from which the house will be issued with a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate. An assessment is also required for any self build house before the occupant moves in.

The EU Directive requires a BER to be registered for all buildings, with a few exceptions (e.g. listed buildings of outstanding architectural or historical importance and outhouses such as barns) that are offered for sale or rent.

On 7 January 2007, BER Certificates and Advisory Reports became mandatory for all newly built dwellings for sale or rent in Ireland. While there is no requirement under Planning Law for a BER to be provided with a planning application, local authorities are free to seek relative documentation to satisfy themselves that an individual application will comply with the Building Control Act. In the instance of local authorities that require higher levels of energy efficiency in news houses than might be the case in other areas, a BER certificate may be an appropriate document to show compliance with these requirements.

If you do not comply with BER requirements to have an assessment completed, you could be liable, on conviction in the District Court, to a maximum fine of €5,000. Failure to secure a BER Certificate at the proper time could also hinder or delay the legal completion of a sale or letting or a future disposal of the relevant dwelling.

As registered assessors Energy Aware are fully qualified to provide you with your BER certification.