Who Needs a BER Certificate?

If you are offering a property in Ireland for sale or rent, you must by law have a valid BER certificate. A BER must also be provided before a new home is first occupied. The owner or landlord is responsible for getting the BER.

When is a BER Required by Law?

• Selling a property: you need a valid BER before you advertise your property for sale
• Renting a property: landlords need a valid BER when letting a property, including when a rental contract is renewed
• New homes: a BER is required before a new home is first occupied. If a new home is sold or rented before it's built, a provisional BER based on the plans can be used
• Commercial properties: these also need a BER, which is carried out by a commercial (non-domestic) BER assessor

BERs in Property Ads

All sale and rental ads must show the property's BER rating. This includes property websites, brochures and newspaper ads, as well as For Sale and To Let signs that include details of the property. Enforcement is the responsibility of the local council's building control authority.

Other Reasons to Get a BER

Even if you're not selling or renting, there are other good reasons to get a BER:

• Some SEAI home energy grants require a BER once the works are finished (see BER certs for SEAI grants)
• Many lenders offer lower rates on green mortgages for homes with a better BER
• The advisory report shows which upgrades would make the biggest difference to your home

Does Every Building Need a BER?

No. Some buildings are exempt, including protected structures and stand alone buildings under 50 sq/m. See BER Exempt: What It Means.

Already Have a BER?

A BER is valid for 10 years. Before booking a new one, check if your property already has a valid BER. See Find Your BER Rating.

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