Do You Need a TM44 Certificate? UK Compliance Requirements Explained

If you own or manage a commercial building with air conditioning, you’ve probably heard about TM44 certificates. But what are they exactly? And more to the point, do you actually need one?

Getting this wrong can lead to attracting penalties you’d rather avoid. The rules aren’t always clear, and the last thing anyone wants is a surprise fine landing on their desk. So let’s break down what a TM44 certificate is, who needs one, and what happens if you don’t have it sorted.

What Is a TM44 Certificate?

A TM44 certificate is proof that your building’s air conditioning system has been inspected. It’s a legal requirement under UK regulations. The inspection checks whether your system is working properly and if there are ways to make it more energy efficient.

Think of it like an MOT for your air conditioning. You can’t just assume everything’s fine. Someone qualified has to look at it, assess it, and then issue the certificate if it passes.

The certificate gets lodged on the Landmark Register, which is the official database for energy compliance documents. Without it, you’re technically non-compliant. And that’s where things can get expensive.

Who Needs a TM44 Certificate?

Not every building needs one. The rules apply to commercial and public buildings with air conditioning systems over 12kW. That’s the combined cooling capacity of all the units in the building.

Here’s who typically needs to worry about this:

• Office buildings
• Retail spaces
• Hotels and leisure facilities
• Public sector buildings like hospitals and schools
• Warehouses with climate control

If you’re a landlord, the responsibility usually sits with you. But sometimes it’s the tenant, depending on the lease agreement. Worth checking that before you make assumptions.

Residential properties are generally exempt. So if you’re a homeowner with air conditioning, you’re off the hook. This is strictly for commercial use.

How Often Do You Need an Inspection?

Inspections are required every five years. That’s the standard interval. Once you’ve had your system checked and the certificate issued, you don’t need to think about it again for half a decade.

But here’s the catch. If you miss that five-year deadline, you’re non-compliant from the moment it expires. There’s no grace period. And if someone checks, you could be facing fines.

Some building owners set reminders well in advance. Others rely on their facilities management team to track it. Either way, it’s easy to forget if you’re juggling multiple properties or priorities.

What Happens During the Inspection?

The inspection itself is fairly straightforward. An accredited energy assessor will visit your building and evaluate the air conditioning system. They’ll look at how old it is, how well it’s maintained, and whether it’s running efficiently.

They’ll also check the documentation. Things like maintenance records, system manuals, and previous inspection reports. If you’ve kept everything organised, the process moves quickly.

The assessor will then write a report. It includes recommendations for improving energy performance. Some of these suggestions might save you money in the long run, so it’s worth reading through them properly.

Once the inspection is complete, the certificate is issued and uploaded to the Landmark Register. You’ll get a copy for your records. Keep it somewhere safe because you might need to show it during a property sale or lease negotiation.

What If You Don’t Have a TM44 Certificate?

This is where it gets uncomfortable. If you’re required to have a certificate and you don’t, you’re breaking the law. Local authorities can issue fines. The amounts have increased recently, so it’s not something to ignore.

Perhaps more concerning is what happens during a property transaction. Buyers and tenants often request proof of compliance. If you can’t produce a valid certificate, it can delay or even derail the deal. No one wants to inherit someone else’s compliance problem.

There’s also the reputational side of it. If you’re managing a portfolio of buildings, being caught non-compliant doesn’t look great. It raises questions about how well you’re managing other aspects of the property.

See also: What Is a Steam Turbine Diaphragm? Understanding Its Function, Design & Role in Efficiency

How Do You Get a TM44 Certificate?

You need to book an inspection with an accredited assessor. They’re listed on the Landmark Register website, so you can find someone qualified in your area.

Most inspections can be scheduled within a few weeks, but if you need something faster, emergency services are available. These are useful if you’re up against a deadline or dealing with an urgent compliance issue.

The process is pretty simple once you’ve booked it in. The assessor does their thing, you get the report, and the certificate is sorted. Just make sure you’re booking someone who’s actually accredited. There are people out there offering inspections who aren’t properly qualified, and that won’t help you at all.

Can You Do Anything to Prepare?

Yes, a bit of prep can make the whole thing smoother. Dig out any maintenance records you have for the air conditioning system. If there are user manuals or technical specs, have those ready too.

Make sure the assessor can access the system easily. If parts of it are locked away or hard to reach, that can slow things down. Sometimes it’s worth getting your maintenance team to give the system a once-over before the inspection. Not to cheat the process, but just to make sure everything’s in reasonable working order.

If you know the system is old or hasn’t been maintained properly, the report might come back with more recommendations than you’d like. But at least you’ll know what needs fixing. And you’ll still get the certificate, assuming the system is functional.

What About Energy Performance Certificates?

People sometimes confuse TM44 certificates with EPCs. They’re related but not the same thing.

An Energy Performance Certificate measures the overall energy efficiency of a building. It covers heating, lighting, insulation, everything. A TM44 certificate only looks at the air conditioning system.

You might need both. Many commercial buildings do. But they’re separate inspections, separate certificates, and separate compliance requirements. Don’t assume one covers the other.

Why Does This Matter?

Air conditioning systems use a lot of energy. If they’re old or poorly maintained, they’re wasting money and contributing to higher carbon emissions. The TM44 inspection is meant to encourage building owners to keep systems running efficiently.

From a practical standpoint, it’s also about staying legal. Compliance isn’t optional. And with increasing scrutiny on energy use and sustainability, having your paperwork in order is just sensible.

If you’re managing multiple buildings, keeping track of when each certificate expires can feel like a lot. But it’s manageable with a bit of organisation. And the alternative is worse.

Final Thoughts

So, do you need a TM44 certificate? If you own or manage a commercial building with air conditioning over 12kW, yes. You do. It’s not something you can skip or put off indefinitely.

The inspection itself isn’t complicated. The certificate lasts five years. And staying compliant means avoiding fines, smoothing property transactions, and keeping your building’s energy use in check.

If you’re not sure whether your building needs one, check the system capacity. If it’s over the threshold, get it sorted. And if you already have a certificate, make sure you know when it’s due for renewal.

Don’t leave it until someone asks to see it. By then, it might already be too late.