Experts have warned against illegal energy performance certificates (EPCs), which are being offered at cut-price rates by assessors who don't visit pubs.
One property agent, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he had been contacted by firms offering to carry out EPCs for pubs for very low rates of under £200 — but assessors carry out work remotely.
Richard Wensley, managing director of Wensley & Lawz, a commercial property services firm, cautioned that having an EPC carried out without an on-site inspection and site notes would be "highly illegal" as
it would invalidate the certificate.
Guidance from Business Link, a free business advice service developed in conjunction with Government experts, states that energy assessors carrying out EPCs "are expected to visit business properties in person".
Wensley said prices for EPCs had halved over the past 12 months, since the certificates were made compulsory, but added that prices, inclusive of on-site visits, usually start from around £300.
Wensley said licensees could make significant savings by paying attention to energy consumption. "We came across one pub with 220 spotlights; we advised a change of lights at a cost of £1,000, and it's now saving £3,500 a year."
He added: "A lot of the managed chains are cutting energy usage a lot, by changing insulation, upgrading boilers and replacing bulbs."