BER: What is it?

A BER is similar to the energy label for a household electrical appliance like your fridge. The label has a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient.

From the 2009 a BER certificate is compulsory for all homes being sold or rented. If you are buying or renting a new house or apartment now, you are entitled to a BER - so do ask the seller/landlord or their agent for it.

All new homes (even when not for sale) must have a BER certificate before they are occupied as detailed under S.I. 666

BER assessments performed on new dwellings will also help determine compliance to Part L of the Building Regulations.

BERs will be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). A list of BER Assessors is available on the SEI website.

It is an offence for persons not registered with SEI as BER assessors to purport to carry out a BER assessment service for the purposes of the Regulations. To see what a Building Energy Rating Certificate looks like please click here.

Who needs a BER?

A seller must provide a BER to prospective buyers or tenants when a home is constructed, sold or rented under the following circumstances:

• New homes where planning permission was applied for on or after 2007:
• All homes for sale or rent on or after 2009.

All new homes (even when not for sale) must have a BER certificate before they are occupied as detailed under S.I. 666 BER assessments performed on new dwellings will also help determine compliance to Part L of the Building Regulations.

How Long will a BER Remain Valid?

A BER for a building will be valid for 10 years from the date of its being issued, unless there is a material change in the building in the meantime which could affect its energy performance – for example an extension to the building, a significant change to the building fabric or a change in the heating system or fuel used. Therefore if a property which has received a BER is placed on the market within 10 years of that BER being issued, and the property has experienced no relevant alteration in the meantime, then that same BER may be used by the building owner for the purposes of meeting their obligations under the Regulations.