Sector Dispatch - Surveyors, architects and professional property services

Uncertainty as professional property services sector looks for signs of recovery

Surveyors, architects and professional property services are currently facing a number of proposed changes that could affect the way they operate. The property services industry as a whole has suffered in recent years due to the economic downturn, although there are some encouraging signs of recovery. New legislation is set to come into force later this year, and recent reports into the property market could also lead to changes.

Building Regulations changes

Proposed legislation changes will place new obligations on professional property services. The Government is proposing changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations, which are planned to come into force in England in October, calling for energy efficiency standards for new buildings to be improved, and addressing the energy efficiency of existing buildings. Part L is concerned with the conservation of fuel and power, and Part F with ventilation.

The Government has already set a target for new homes to be carbon neutral from 2016, and the proposed changes to Part L will raise the energy efficiency standards by 25% this year and by 44% in 2013. Similarly, a target for new non-domestic buildings to be carbon neutral has been set for 2019. The plans will introduce a phased improvement, beginning with a 25% raise in energy efficiency standards for non-domestic buildings to be implemented this year. The proposals will also affect existing buildings, changing the energy efficiency requirements when building work is carried out.

As the energy efficiency proposals are likely to create more airtight buildings, plans to change Part F of the regulations are also in place to ensure that adequate ventilation is provided in new buildings and in existing buildings where building work is carried out.

Because the Government is currently considering transferring responsibility for building regulations in Wales to the Welsh Assembly, these proposals may only apply in England. The Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are introducing their own new energy efficiency standards this year.

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