Surveyors warn that ‘Opt Out’ clause in building controls will affect implementation of new energy efficiency standards
4 out of 5 people who self-build, opt out of building control regulations
New energy efficiency regulations are an important step to climate change targets but an ‘Opt Out’ in the self-build area needs to be closed, according to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).
Johanna Gill, President of the SCSI, said; “Buildings are a major producer of carbon dioxide from construction through to usage. Therefore, better regulations coupled with better processes means the sector can play a dramatic role in addressing climate change. Reducing energy consumption, improving building standards, and increasing comfort levels in our new building stock are all positive developments.”
However, Ms Gill, warned “The vast majority of one-off houses which will be built next year are likely to opt out of the building control regulations introduced in 2014. People building one-off houses were permitted to opt-out of the regulations and in previous years 80% of them have done so. As a result, there is a concern that many of these may not comply with the new energy efficiency standards.”
Approximately 20,000 new houses are being built per annum, 5,000 of which are one-off houses. The SCSI says 80% of these self-build homes are opting out of building control regulations, which is 4,000 new one-off houses, or 20% of all new homes being built.
Ms Gill said that buyers, or in this case self-builders, need to beware. “Homes that opt out of these building control regulations are also stepping out of the certification process where an assigned certifier supervises the build process. This may lead to increasing risks and the possibility of the need for remedial work in the future with all the associated costs. We would call on the Government to remove the opt out provision as a matter of urgency.”
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