Insurance Reinstatement Costs

If you’re not properly insured … then it will be a real disaster

Damage to property and buildings by fire and other disasters, natural or otherwise, costs Australians hundreds of millions of dollars every year. In the last year this has been even more defined by the recent floods in Queensland and Victoria.

Notwithstanding the substantial number of properties that suffered as a result of the recent floods, the most common building disaster in Australia is fire, so it is important to be prepared. Luckily we have only had one earthquake in recent history and although the chances of these occurrences are low, the devastation they can do has been clearly seen in Christchurch. Continue reading

Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD)

Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) is a national program designed to improve the energy efficiency of Australia’s large office buildings.

The disclosure requirements under the CBD program will commence on 1 November 2010.

The CBD program will ensure that credible and meaningful energy efficiency information is available to prospective purchasers and lessees of large commercial office space. Owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000m² or more will be required to disclose energy efficiency information to prospective purchasers and tenants when the space is to be sold, leased or subleased.

Transitional Provisions

The legislation contains transitional provisions that will apply for the first twelve months of the program (i.e. from 1 November 2010 to 30 October 2011). During this period, a valid National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy base or whole building rating, must be disclosed. After the transition period, a full Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) is required to be disclosed.

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