Asbestos

If you are responsible for managing a non domestic building, you must manage any asbestos in it. As well as protecting people from exposure to asbestos fibres, you have a legal duty to manage asbestos (under section 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006

More information can be found by clicking on the information below:

• The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006

• The New Asbestos Survey Guide

• The management of Asbestos in Commercial Buildings

Energy

The Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) (England and Wales) was introduced in 2007, and included a series of Energy Performance Certificates that are legally required on the construction, sale and let of all buildings.

More information can be found by clicking on the required certificate below:

• Commercial - a guide for building owners and tenants

• Commercial New Build - Part L - ADL2A

• Domestic - home buyers and sellers guide

• Domestic - renting homes a tenants guide

• Domestic New Build- a builders guide

• Public - a guide to Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports

• Public - getting ready for DEC's

Lease Plans

The Land Registration Act 2002 came into force on October 2003, since then new leases of 7 years or more or existing leases sold with 7 years or more unexpired must be registered with Land Registry along with a compliant Lease Plan.

• Land Registry

• Land Registry Guide 40

Legionella

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1999, requires building owners to comply with 'The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems'. Legionella bacteria can be commonly found in mains water, drinking services, hot and cold water services, showers, air conditioning and water features.

More information can be found by clicking on the links below:

• The control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems - L8

• Controlling Legionella in nursing and residential care homes

Electrical Safety

Selling, Leasing or managing a property without an up-to-date electrical inspection certificates for supplied portable appliances is an offence under regulation 4(1) of The UK Provision and User of Work Equipment regulation 1998 and 4(2) of The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. . Hefty fines can be incurred if someone is injured and insurance policies will be invalid in the case of a fire.

More information can be found by clicking on the links below:

• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

CO₂ Reduction

Buildings are responsible for almost half of all CO² emissions in the UK. With information like this, it is clear why reducing building emissions is high on the government's agenda. The Energy Act 2008, Climate Change Act 2008 and the Carbon Reduction Commitment 2010 ensure that our legislation underpins the long term delivery of our energy and climate change strategy.