Benchmarking will be due for the first time on February 1, 2019.

The DOB refers to this group of properties as “mid-sized buildings” for Benchmarking purposes (as opposed to large buildings 50,000 square feet and up). Benchmarking reports may be submitted for these buildings up until 2/1/19 without penalty. Afterwards, it’s possible the standard $500 quarterly penalty for failure to file will apply.

Note that buildings in this size category only need to comply with Local Law 84 – annual benchmarking reports – and not Local Law 87. That could change in the future, but for now you can stay focused on LL 84.

Here’s what you need to comply:

• Benchmarking Help Center for FAQs and how-to’s
• Energy Star Portfolio Manager (for tracking energy and water consumption data)
• Latest covered buildings list (to confirm which properties are required to file)

Further reading: our blog post on mid-size buildings and filing requirements

If you’re filing for buildings that have submitted in previous years, the only thing that’s different about this year is the due date. Instead of May 1st, the 2017 consumption submission deadline is now December 31, 2018. You can submit annual benchmarking reports up until this date without penalty. That said, we’re not sure if the $500 quarterly penalty will be on a different schedule. We’re also not sure if the due date for 2018 information (submitted in 2019) will be pushed back to December. Stay tuned for any updates here.

You’ll still have to comply with Local Law 87 (10 year Energy Efficiency Report) based on the year it’s due. As a reminder, EER’s must be submitted by the last digit of your tax block number (2018 if 8, and so on). If you manage a co-op building, a consolidated EER can be submitted no later than the year the last report would be due. Read the department’s rule for more information.