Sanctions for missing energy labels will be at risk from April

Prague - Sanctions for missing energy labels on buildings will threaten property owners no earlier than April 2013. Until then, authorities will be lenient during inspections and will rather advise owners, said Pavel Jirásek, head of the renewable energy department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, at a press conference today.
Energy labels must be provided by builders, building owners, or housing associations for new buildings, during their renovations, and upon the sale of apartments, according to the law starting next year. In the case of renting parts of buildings, the new obligation will apply from 2016. Existing buildings are expected to gradually obtain labels from 2015 to 2019, based on the area designated by law.
The so-called energy performance certificates are intended to inform buyers or tenants, who can use them to discover operational costs for energy. The new measure is expected to lead to lower energy consumption and thus reduce expenses. The amendment will also introduce the obligation to install heat meters in apartments with central heating.
The new rules could influence property prices, believes Hanuš Němeček, executive director of the RE/MAX real estate network. "People will be willing to pay extra for a property with a better rating. Conversely, especially for some older properties, we expect further price declines," he told the Czech News Agency (ČTK).
The new standards also include paragraphs that will significantly influence new construction in the Czech Republic over the next decade. By December 31, 2018, EU Member States must ensure that all new buildings used and owned by public authorities have nearly zero energy consumption. Starting at the end of 2020, all new buildings, including family homes, will have to comply with this standard.