From January 2009, all residential property sold and rented in Ireland will be tested and given an energy rating based on newly introduced EU regulations.

Europe introduced the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) as a major fight-back against climate change within the building sector. The regulations, which are already in force for new builds, allow a delay for planning applications in train and will apply to existing properties' sales and lettings from January 2009.

Fundamental to the EPBD is that Building Energy Rating (BER) must be supplied to prospective buyers or tenants before a sale or letting, otherwise there may be grounds to sue or have the contract declared void. As fuel prices rise and supplies tighten, the value of energy efficiency is enhanced significantly and the BER is intended to put a market premium on the capital value and rentability of energy-efficient properties.

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BERs will use a 'flagging system' similar to the highly successful one adopted by European white goods manufacturers, most of whose equipment is now in the higher energy (A or B) performance bands.

In an effort to inform residential property owners, especially those in the rental sector, the Irish Property Owners Association launches an information drive IPO A/Energy, which, working with a team of industry experts, comprises of an information guide and a series of national and regional advisory sessions.

The information guide was distributed on October 5, with the Irish Independent in association with on-line property portal, www.propertynews.com.

The information sessions will take place around the country over the next 14 months.

Last year, the IPOA ran The Green House Sessions, a one-day conference on energy efficiency and residential investment property. Following on from the issues raised and the interest in the content of the event, the IPOA/Energy initiative was developed to be relevant to both property investors and tenants.

(JM)