Timeline of the New Requirements for Part L1A

Okay, I get asked this at least three times a day, so I think it's worth adding to the blog to get the word out there to the developers ... there is a definite timeline that is required for all of the relevant certifications needed to pass off a house for building control concerning energy ... I know that there are more certifications for the electrics, fire, plumbing, etc. but those are not typically my area of expertise.




By the way, some of this is rather technical, but will be covered in future blog updates ... just try to get the overall picture right now okay. Oh, and speaking of pictures, here is one of an Energy Performance Certificate or EPC as they are called, which is the end result of all of this work

1. Submit Property Plans to Council with or without Accredited Construction Details


2. Plans are agreed - sometimes after modifications and many iterations ...


3. Design Draft SAP Calculation is commissioned and returned to you that meets the current build regulations and requirements for energy conservation taking into account all of the design elements in the property as highlighted in the checklist and drawings.


4. Sometimes you may have to do Step 3 in a few iterations to get everything right where the DER is less than the TER.


5. Once this is completed, a Design Final SAP Calculation is produced for your property.


6. From Step 5, a Design Calculation EPC is produced allowing you to market the property off plan if desired but you will still have to have a proper As Built EPC completed in the long-run.


7. Property is built to the these minimum SAP requirements.


8. Air Tightness Test is performed in accordance with each properties SAP value and in consideration of the use or non-use of Accredited Construction Details from section 4.5 of the L1A Checklist.


9. The Air Test result is entered into the SAP along with any modifications and / or improvements to the property during the build process producing an As Built Draft Calculation.


10. As Built Final SAP Calculation is entered into the system and logged / registered with the government


11. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is issued by the company doing the SAP.


12. Building Control Officer or their equivalant issues a Building Certificate


13. You complete the Home Information Pack (HIP) for properties being sold on


14. You can now sell or rent your property ... God Willing

For more information or to book a test, call me on 01484 686649 or visit my website on http://www.hometestingyorkshire.co.uk/

I hope this helps

Matt