Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) delayed

On 13 March 2008 the Government announced a six month period of grace before the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates for the construction of dwellings and for the construction, sale or rent of non-domestic buildings, with a floor area greater than 10,000m2.

Any building which is already on the market before 6th April and then remains on the market after this date will need an EPC by 1st October at the latest. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and handed over as soon as practicable.

Similar provisions will apply for the introduction of EPCs for non-domestic buildings over 2,500m2, where certificates were due to be introduced from 1st July.

EPCs will be required for all remaining buildings by 1st October and public buildings over 1,000 m2 will be required to display an EPC certificate from that date.

Further information can be found on the website at
www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/whenmeasures/

New regulations laid before Parliament on 13th March enable homeowners in England and Wales to install microgeneration equipment without planning permission, as long as there is clearly no impact on others. From 6th April, planning permission will not be required for the installation of:

• solar panels
  
• ground and water source heat pumps
  
• biomass heating
  
• combined heat and power systems.
   
  

Size limitations have been set to reduce the impact on neighbours.

In addition, the Government plans to legislate later this year to allow free standing and building-mounted wind turbines on detached properties and air source heat pumps to be installed without planning permission.

Further information can be found under the Greener Homes section of the Planning Portal website at www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/

In Scotland householders will be able to apply for grants to install energy generating equipment. A consultation has been launched, on planning reforms designed to make it easier for people to install micro-generation equipment in their homes.

For further information see the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) website at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/schri or telephone the SCHRI hotline on 0800 138 8858.

You should always check with your local planning authority when you are thinking about installing a
micro-generation system.

Income shifting changes delayed

Plans to change income shifting rules have been deferred until next year while consultations continue to take place. If these plans go ahead, then individuals who transfer part of their income to another family member, who pays tax at a lower rate, will have to justify the amount of income paid to that family member. Businesses would have to create and keep extra paperwork on individual’s contributions to their business. Business organisations are continuing to lobby against these proposals.

You can find the original consultation documents on the Treasury website at

www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/consultations_and_legislation/income_shifting/consult_income_shifting.cfm