Developers and landlords hoping for quick deals on their properties could be hit by further delays when Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) become compulsory next month, experts have warned.

Even before EPCs and their accompanying recommendations reports become a legal requirement for all buildings being leased, sold or modified, there is already a growing backlog due to a shortage of accredited energy assessors.

Experts fear the industry is still not prepared for the inevitable soaring demand for reports on October 1, and warn that any unnecessary bottlenecks will spell yet more challenges for those trying to buy or rent out properties.

Jim Costello, industry director of consulting engineer Hulley & Kirkwood, said: "The idea behind EPCs is a good one and will undoubtedly lead to great improvements being made on the sustainability of buildings of all types and ages.

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"But what the industry doesn’t need at the moment is further delays - especially due to red tape and bottlenecks which can easily be avoided."

Jim argues that the cause of the delays in having reports signed off to date is not that there are not enough people with the skills to do the job, rather that not enough have the relevant accreditation.

At present, before chartered engineers in England and Wales can sign off EPCs and their accompanying reports, they must first undergo a minimum of two days' additional training to become officially accredited by one of the relevant schemes.

Scotland too faces inevitable backlogs, but here these delays should be mitigated to an extent by automatically allowing chartered engineers with the appropriate skills and right level of proven experience to complete the certificates.

With existing pressures on the property market, Jim argues the same system should be implemented in England and Wales to ease the current shortfall.

"Because there are easily the number of people with the right skills to do the job, those who will be hit hardest by delays - landlords and developers - possibly aren't aware that this is going to be a problem. It will become very obvious on October 1 when the amount of time it takes to get a report completed on their properties suddenly soars.

"All we are calling for is that the Government steps in and supports those professionals who already have the skills to cut through this red tape, even if only temporarily."

(GK/JM)