Commencement Notice:
What BER Documents Do You Need?

Before You Submit

Under SI 9 of 2014, before you begin construction of a new dwelling, you must submit a commencement notice to your local Building Control Authority — typically done through the Building Control Management System (BCMS). As part of this submission, you need to demonstrate that your proposed building will comply with Part L of the Building Regulations.

Energy Documents Required

For a commencement notice for a new dwelling, the energy-related documentation you need includes:

• Provisional BER Certificate: The design-stage energy rating showing the predicted BER of the dwelling based on drawings and specifications
• Part L Compliance Report: The DEAP-generated conformance report demonstrating that the design meets the Energy Performance Coefficient (EPC ≤ 0.30), Carbon Performance Coefficient (CPC ≤ 0.35), and Renewable Energy Ratio (RER ≥ 0.20) requirements
• Building specification document: Detailing the fabric build-ups, U-values, heating system, ventilation strategy, and renewable energy systems

The Process Step by Step

• Step 1: Finalise your architectural drawings and building specifications
• Step 2: Engage a registered BER assessor to produce the provisional BER and Part L report
• Step 3: Review the results — if the design doesn't meet Part L, make adjustments and reassess
• Step 4: Include the provisional BER number and Part L compliance documentation in your BCMS submission
• Step 5: Submit the commencement notice at least 14 days (or 28 days for a 7-day notice) before starting work

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a commencement notice without a provisional BER — this creates a compliance gap in your BCAR documentation
• Using outdated specifications — if the design changes after the provisional BER, the assessment becomes invalid
• Not checking the RER — many designs meet the EPC and CPC targets but fall short on the renewable energy ratio
• Leaving it to the last minute — getting a provisional BER typically takes 48-72 hours from receipt of complete drawings