The PEB certificate assesses the energy performance of a building. It is a certificate that indicates the degree of energy efficiency of a dwelling or building. The most important element of this certificate is the energy score. It is expressed in kWh per square metre per year, and is translated into an energy class ranging from A+ to F. This score is awarded by approved PEB certifiers (type A) and is valid for ten years, unless you have it recalculated after energy-saving improvements.
The main purpose of the PEB is to inform potential buyers or tenants, or to prove whether or not you are eligible for certain subsidies as a homeowner. In the current energy context, this is information that absolutely must be taken into account. Any owner wishing to sell or rent a residential unit is therefore required to have a new PEB inspection carried out.
According to the certification standards, all homes with a PEB value of 180 or less (B score or higher) meet current new-build energy consumption requirements. Although you can't influence certain factors that determine the PEB score, such as the year of construction or the type of house, there are many energy-saving measures you can take yourself. Think, for example, about good insulation, changing the joinery and installing communal facilities. You could also install double or even triple glazing, solar panels and/or a heat pump. Thanks to these measures, as well as improving your PEB, you'll become energy efficient.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Do you want to renovate your buildings to make them more efficient?","richBody":{"value":"Improve your energy label thanks to the ING Eco Renovation Loan.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"PEB co-ownership in the Walloon Region: what is the partial PEB report?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"In Belgium, the interpretation of the energy performance certificate differs from region to region. The Walloon Region uses PEB (Performance Energétique des Bâtiments), the Brussels-Capital Region uses EPB (Energy Performance and Indoor Climate), and Flanders uses EPC (Energieprestatiecertificaat).
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Brussels","richBody":{"value":"In Brussels, there are no specific EPB requirements (yet) for the communal areas of apartment buildings.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Flanders","richBody":{"value":"In Flanders, an EPC for common parts has been compulsory since October 2022 for apartment blocks and other large buildings with at least 15 units. In the near future, it will gradually become compulsory for all other residential buildings as well. This is known as the EPC GD. This is a separate energy performance certificate for the common parts of a building. Like the Walloon partial report, the EPC GD is issued by an approved EPC certifier and is valid for 10 years.
The EPC GD gives the owner or the association of co-owners (ACP) an overview of the energy performance of the communal areas and how to improve it. Unlike the traditional EPC, it does not contain an energy score or label. Its main aim is to provide suggestions for making the apartment block more energy efficient.
There are, however, two important things to note. Firstly, you should be aware that the obligation to obtain an energy performance certificate for communal areas is always independent of the sale or letting of the property. Secondly, in addition to flats, small non-residential units such as shops or offices also count towards the total number of units.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"What exactly are the common parts of an apartment building?","richBody":{"value":"Their definition goes beyond a simple shared stairwell or lift:
In addition, communal lighting and central heating or solar power are also taken into account.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"How do you obtain a PEB for common parts?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"In order to get a PEB certificate for the common parts of your buildings, several people and agencies need to take a number of steps:
Exactly how much the EPC for common parts costs depends, among other things, on the complexity of the building and the price charged by the inspector himself. A guide price is between 100 and 200 euros for smaller properties with 2 residential units. And between 600 and 800 for large apartment buildings with 20 building units. By investing in an EPC GD, however, you can in turn save on energy costs thanks to the accompanying suggestions for making the apartment building more energy efficient.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Do you want to improve the energy performance of your buildings?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The ING Sustainable Buildings Guide is a free digital tool that helps you identify which investments to make to improve the energy performance of your properties.
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Non-residential PEB: what is it?","body":"Article | With the introduction of the Non-Residential (NR) EPC, the certificate will soon be mandatory for every commercial building. Find out what this means for property owners.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/6b11d56b-bcbf-42c7-9d53-884d0800cb0c/Full-length-of-woman-standing-on-skateboard","type":"image","width":6720,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/bf4c48d89fe13/original/Full-length-of-woman-standing-on-skateboard.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-10-24","link":{"url":"/en/business/sustainable-business/peb-non-residential"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"EPC and rent indexation","body":"A building's EPC score affects how landlords can index their rents. Read all about it here.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/cec6f1b2-b634-48be-bb17-db20c97e8fae/Close-up-view-of-multi-colored-abacus-beads","type":"image","width":4240,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/39b23b3d2a1df620/original/Close-up-view-of-multi-colored-abacus-beads.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-10-24","link":{"url":"/en/business/sustainable-business/peb-rent-indexation"}}]}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Good to know","richBody":{"value":"The standards, requirements, and obligations mentioned in this article may change regularly and are for information purpose only. We therefore recommend that you check the specific regulations and requirements with the appropriate authorities in the relevant region for the latest information and you seek professional advice on a case-by-case basis before making a decision.
ING Belgium SA/NV cannot be held liable for any decision taken on the basis of the information provided.
"}}]}}}