The Rate Relief (Low-Carbon Homes Scheme) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

PART 2 Rate Relief

Rate relief

4.—(1) Subject to the conditions in paragraph (2) being satisfied and to the provisions of these Regulations, a person who is the first occupier of a newly-constructed dwelling-house which is a low-carbon or zero-carbon home shall not be chargeable in respect of it to rates—

(a) in the case of a low-carbon home, for a period of two years; and

(b) in the case of a zero-carbon home, for a period of five years,

from the date on which he first occupies that dwelling-house or 1st April 2010, whichever is the later.

(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) that work on the dwelling-house shall not have been completed before 1st April 2010;

(b) that the date on which the first occupier first occupies the dwelling-house is—

(i) in the case of a low-carbon home, not later than 31st March 2013;

(ii) in the case of a zero-carbon home, not later than 31st March 2016; and

(c) that—

(i) in the case of a low-carbon home, a low-carbon home certificate has been issued;

(ii) in the case of a zero-carbon home, a zero-carbon home certificate has been issued.

Low-carbon home

5.—(1) “Low-carbon home” means a dwelling-house that is energy efficient in relation to the aspects of energy efficiency in column 1 of Table 1 in the Schedule.

(2) The evidence to be adduced to show that a dwelling-house satisfies each relevant aspect of energy efficiency is set out in column 2 of that Table.

(3) Whether the requirements in column 2 of that Table are met shall be determined by an assessment of the dwelling-house by an accredited assessor.

Zero-carbon home

6.—(1) “Zero-carbon home” means a dwelling-house that is energy efficient in relation to the aspects of energy efficiency in column 1 of Table 2 in the Schedule.

(2) The evidence to be adduced to show that a dwelling-house satisfies each relevant aspect of energy efficiency is set out in column 2 of that Table.

(3) Whether the requirements in column 2 of that Table are met shall be determined by an assessment of the dwelling-house by an accredited assessor.

Certification

7.—(1) If an accredited assessor, who carried out an assessment of a dwelling-house under these Regulations, is satisfied that the dwelling-house satisfies the definition of—

(a) low-carbon home, he shall issue a low-carbon home certificate which states that the dwelling-house is a low-carbon home within the meaning of these Regulations; or

(b) zero-carbon home, he shall issue a zero-carbon home certificate which states that the dwelling-house is a zero-carbon home within the meaning of these Regulations.

(2) In addition, both the low-carbon and zero-carbon home certificate shall state—

(a) in relation to the dwelling-house—

(i) the address, including the postcode; and

(ii) the property reference number from the energy performance certificate issued in respect of it;

(b) in relation to the accredited assessor issuing the certificate—

(i) the accredited assessor’s full name,

(ii) the name and address of the accredited assessor’s employer, or if he is self employed, the name under which he trades and his address; and

(iii) the accreditation scheme to which the accredited assessor belongs; and

(c) the date on which it was issued.

Application

8.—(1) Relief under these Regulations shall be claimed in an application made to the Department by the first occupier of a newly-constructed dwelling-house which shall be—

(a) in such a form and contain such information as the Department may reasonably require; and

(b) accompanied by—

(i) a low-carbon home certificate or a zero-carbon home certificate issued in respect of the dwelling-house;

(ii) a copy of an energy performance certificate issued in respect of the dwelling-house; and

(iii) such other documents as the Department may reasonably require.

(2) The closing date for an application under paragraph (1) shall be—

(a) in the case of a low-carbon home, 30th September 2013; and

(b) in the case of a zero-carbon home, 30th September 2016.