Commercial landlords · Compliance guide
Commercial property compliance: certificates every UK business needs
Commercial EPC, DEC, TM44, Fire Risk Assessment, EICR, and PAT Testing — what's legally required, how often, and what happens if you don't comply.
As a commercial landlord, facilities manager, or business occupier, you carry a distinct set of compliance obligations — separate from, and often less well understood than, the residential landlord rules. This guide covers the certificates most commercial properties need: what each one is, who is legally required to hold it, how often it must be renewed, and the consequences of getting it wrong.
All certificates in this guide can be arranged through Every Property Certificate Sheffield, with corporate billing available for multi-site portfolios.
1. Commercial EPC
What is a commercial EPC?
A commercial EPC rates a non-domestic building's energy efficiency on a scale from A+ (most efficient) to G (least efficient) — a wider scale than the A–G used for residential properties. New commercial buildings require SBEM calculations before Building Control sign-off, followed by a commercial EPC on completion.
Who needs one?
Any commercial landlord or business constructing, selling, or letting a non-domestic building must have a valid EPC in place. The certificate lasts 10 years and covers the building for that whole period — you don't need a new one each time a new tenant moves in, as long as the existing certificate is still valid.
How long does it last?
10 years. As with residential EPCs, making efficiency improvements during this period does not invalidate the certificate early.
Looking ahead: the government confirmed on 18 June 2026 that rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000m² will need to reach Band B by 2031 — confirmed policy, not yet law. See our guide to the 2031 commercial MEES target for the full detail.
2. Display Energy Certificate (DEC)
What is a DEC?
A Display Energy Certificate shows a building's “operational rating” — actual annual CO₂ emissions calculated from meter readings, compared against a benchmark for the building type. Unlike an EPC, which is a theoretical rating, a DEC reflects real energy use.
Who needs one?
Only buildings meeting all three criteria: over 250m² in floor area, occupied in whole or part by a public authority, and frequently visited by the public. This covers schools, SEN schools, libraries, council buildings, universities, and hospitals. Private businesses do not require a DEC.
How long is it valid?
- Buildings 250–1,000m²: DEC valid 10 years, advisory report valid 10 years
- Buildings over 1,000m²: DEC valid 1 year, advisory report valid 7 years — though a desk-based renewal is available if there have been no structural alterations, occupancy changes, or change of use, and the advisory report is still in date
Display requirement and penalties
The certificate must be displayed prominently where visible to the public — typically A3 format at reception. Not displaying one carries a £500 penalty; not having one at all carries a £1,000 penalty. Our customer care team proactively contacts DEC clients with a renewal reminder and prepared quote before expiry.
DEC Sheffield →Coordinate compliance across your portfolio
We can arrange multiple certificates across multiple sites, with corporate billing on weekly or monthly terms.
3. TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection
What triggers the requirement?
Any building with air conditioning systems totalling 12kW or more of combined effective rated output. This is a combined total across every system on site — several smaller splits can add up to exceed the threshold even where no single unit looks large.
What does the inspection cover?
All fixed air conditioning systems using refrigerants — VRV/VRF multi-splits, single splits, and air handling units (AHUs). The assessor samples and photographs cooling plant, indoor units, and data plates, checks F-gas and maintenance records, and maps systems to rooms (creating a plan if one doesn't already exist). An asset list is needed before the inspection — if one doesn't exist, creating it may incur an extra charge.
How often must it be renewed?
Every 5 years. Non-compliance carries a penalty of £300 per unit, plus an additional £200 if a report cannot be produced within 7 days of an enforcement officer's request.
TM44 Inspection Sheffield →4. Fire Risk Assessment
Who needs one?
All non-domestic premises — offices, shops, warehouses, and any other workplace. The duty falls on the “responsible person”: the owner, employer, or facilities manager with control over the premises.
What must be recorded?
Since October 2023, the Building Safety Act requires all responsible persons to produce a full written record of their fire risk assessment. The assessment must identify all fire hazards, the people at risk, and the measures in place to mitigate those risks.
How often must it be reviewed?
There is no fixed legal interval for commercial premises. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to review the assessment regularly to keep it up to date, and immediately following any significant change — an alteration to the building, a change in occupancy or use, or a change to fire precautions. An annual review is widely recognised as best practice for most commercial premises, with higher-risk or more complex sites often reviewed more frequently.
Penalties for non-compliance
Non-compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 can result in an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, imprisonment.
Fire Risk Assessment Sheffield →5. EICR (commercial)
What is a commercial EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a detailed inspection of a building's fixed electrical installation, carried out by a qualified electrician. Unlike the residential regime, there is no single piece of legislation mandating a fixed inspection interval for commercial premises — the duty is a general one to maintain electrical systems safely.
How often should it be renewed?
5 years is the widely accepted standard for most commercial premises — offices, shops, and hospitality venues. Higher-risk environments, such as industrial units and food production sites, are typically inspected every 3 years.
EICR Sheffield →6. PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing)
What does PAT Testing cover?
PAT Testing covers the non-fixed electrical appliances an EICR does not — computers, printers, monitors, kettles, kitchen appliances, and portable tools. Each appliance is visually inspected and electrically tested, with a pass or fail label applied. Failed appliances are removed from service immediately.
How often?
There is no fixed legal interval — frequency is risk-based. Typically annual for offices; every 6–12 months is common practice more broadly; higher-risk environments such as construction sites may need testing every 3–6 months.
PAT Testing Sheffield →Quick reference: commercial property certificates
A summary of the six certificates covered in this guide.
| Certificate | Who needs it | How often | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial EPC | Constructing, selling, or letting non-domestic property | Every 10 years | 4 working days |
| DEC | Public buildings >250m², frequently visited by the public | 10 years (250–1,000m²) / annual (>1,000m²) | 5 working days |
| TM44 | Sites with AC systems totalling ≥12kW | Every 5 years | 10 working days |
| Fire Risk Assessment | All non-domestic premises | No fixed interval; review annually (best practice) | 10 working days |
| EICR (commercial) | All businesses and property occupiers | No fixed interval; 5 years accepted standard (3 years higher-risk) | 5 working days |
| PAT Testing | Businesses with portable electrical equipment | Risk-based, typically annual | 5 working days |
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an EPC if we've owned our building for years and never sold or let it?
Do we need a Display Energy Certificate?
What's the threshold for needing a TM44 inspection?
Does fire risk assessment law apply to our office?
How often does a commercial EICR need renewing?
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for our business?
Book your certificates in Sheffield
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Required when selling, letting, or building. Accredited domestic and commercial assessors across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
MEES Consultancy
Bespoke modelled improvement scenarios using real EPC survey data — showing the most effective route to your target rating.
Display Energy Certificate (DEC)
Required for public-authority buildings over 250m². NDEA-accredited assessors for schools, councils, and NHS buildings.
TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection
Required for buildings with AC systems totalling 12kW or more combined output. Renewed every five years.
Fire Risk Assessment
Required for all non-domestic premises and communal areas of HMOs and residential buildings.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Mandatory for all private landlords since 2020. Qualified electricians covering residential and commercial properties.
Gas Safety Certificate
Annual legal requirement for landlords and many accommodation providers. Gas Safe registered engineers.
PAT Testing
Demonstrates compliance with electrical safety duties for landlords, employers, and HMO licence holders.
Legionella Risk Assessment
Legal duty for all landlords and duty holders under COSHH Regulations and HSE ACoP L8. Professional assessments for HMOs and commercial premises.
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