International EPC ratings and energy efficiency frameworks

Why surveyors need multi-framework support

Property professionals operating across the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and other markets encounter different mandatory energy and habitability rating systems. A surveyor advising a UK client on a New Zealand investment property, or an Irish firm expanding into Australian commercial property assessment, needs to record and report against the local standard — not just the familiar UK EPC.

PropertySurvey Pro's region setting adapts the survey framework, AI citation guidance, and report terminology to the selected jurisdiction. This is not a translation exercise — the structural observation fields remain the same; it is the compliance thresholds, required checks and cited standards that change.

UK Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

In England and Wales, EPCs are required by the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 (implementing EU Directive 2010/31/EU, now retained in UK law). The current minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented properties is Band E (SAP score 39+). The government has consulted on raising this to Band C by 2030 for new tenancies.

PropertySurvey Pro records the observed EPC band and expiry date as part of the property header, flags properties below Band E as a compliance item, and can reference the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 in AI-generated report wording.

Important: PropertySurvey Pro records EPC observations and includes them in property condition reports. It does not produce legally valid EPC certificates. Valid UK EPCs must be produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor using approved SAP calculation software and lodged on the national EPC register (epcregister.com).

New Zealand Healthy Homes Standards

New Zealand's Healthy Homes Standards (HHS) are mandatory for private rental properties under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (as amended by the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2019). They comprise five minimum standards:

• Heating: A fixed heater capable of heating the main living room to at least 18°C. Minimum heating capacity calculated by the HHS formula based on room volume and insulation level.
• Insulation: Ceiling insulation to R-value ≥ 2.9 (existing buildings) or R-value ≥ 6.6 (new builds after 2008); underfloor insulation where accessible.
• Ventilation: Extractor fans in kitchens (ducted to outside) and bathrooms; openable windows in habitable rooms of at least 5% of floor area.
• Moisture ingress and drainage: Adequate gutters and downpipes; subfloor space with ground moisture barrier where applicable.
• Draught stopping: No unreasonable gaps in floors, walls, ceilings, windows or doors.

PropertySurvey Pro's NZ region setting activates the HHS checklist and instructs the AI assistant to cite the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and current HHS compliance dates.

Australia: NatHERS and the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme

Australia uses the NatHERS star rating system (0–10 stars) for residential energy efficiency, administered by the Australian Government. New residential buildings in most states require a minimum 6-star (6.0) NatHERS rating under the National Construction Code 2022, rising to 7 stars from May 2023. Commercial buildings are assessed under NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System).

PropertySurvey Pro's AU region setting includes fields for recording observed NatHERS star rating, insulation R-values, glazing type and HVAC system, and references the National Construction Code where relevant in AI-assisted report text.

Other supported frameworks

Frequently asked questions

Does PropertySurvey Pro produce EPC certificates?

No. PropertySurvey Pro records EPC rating observations and includes them in property condition reports, but it does not produce legally valid EPC certificates. In the UK, valid EPCs must be produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor using approved software and lodged on the national EPC register.

Can I use PropertySurvey Pro for cross-border property portfolios?

Yes. The region setting is per-survey, not per-account. A surveyor managing properties in the UK and New Zealand can set UK on one survey and New Zealand on the next, and the compliance checklists, AI citation guidance and report terminology adapt accordingly.

Is EPC recording available in DampApp Pro?

DampApp Pro focuses on moisture-related surveying and does not include EPC recording. For multi-defect property condition surveys that include energy efficiency observations, PropertySurvey Pro is the appropriate tool.