Who Can Carry Out a TM44 Inspection? How to Find a Qualified TM44 Assessor in the UK

A TM44 inspection is not something that should be treated like a normal air conditioning service visit.

Many building owners, landlords, facilities managers and business tenants assume that if they already have an air conditioning maintenance contractor, that same company can automatically issue a valid TM44 report. Sometimes they can. Often, they cannot.

The key question is not simply, “Who looks after my air conditioning?” The correct question is, “Who is qualified and accredited to carry out an air conditioning energy assessment and arrange a valid TM44 report?”

That difference matters. A standard air conditioning engineer may be excellent at servicing equipment, repairing faults, checking refrigerant levels and maintaining split systems or VRF systems. However, TM44 compliance is a separate legal energy assessment process. The inspection must be completed by a suitably qualified air conditioning energy assessor, and the report must be prepared and lodged correctly.

If you own, manage, lease or operate a commercial building in the UK with air conditioning systems that may exceed the 12kW cooling threshold, choosing the right TM44 assessor is essential. A cheap or incorrectly handled inspection can leave you with missing paperwork, poor advice, compliance uncertainty and avoidable risk.

At TM44.uk, we help businesses, landlords, managing agents, facilities teams and property owners arrange professional TM44 air conditioning inspections across the UK. Whether you manage one office, a retail unit, a hotel, a warehouse, a dental practice, a school, a clinic or a multi-site commercial portfolio, the aim is simple: get the right inspection, from the right assessor, with the right report.

What Is a TM44 Inspection?

A TM44 inspection, also known as an air conditioning energy assessment, is a formal review of the energy efficiency and operation of air conditioning systems in qualifying commercial buildings.

It is designed to assess how efficiently the air conditioning system is operating and whether improvements could reduce energy use, running costs and carbon emissions. The inspection does not replace routine maintenance, F-Gas checks or mechanical servicing. It focuses on energy performance, system controls, sizing, condition, operation and recommendations.

A TM44 inspection may consider:

• The type of air conditioning system installed
• The total cooling capacity
• Whether the system exceeds the 12kW threshold
• The condition and age of indoor and outdoor units
• Maintenance records and service history
• System controls and temperature settings
• Operating hours
• Zoning and usage patterns
• Whether systems are oversized or poorly controlled
• Opportunities to reduce energy waste
• Recommendations for improved efficiency

For a wider overview of legal requirements, you can also read the TM44.uk guide to https://tm44.uk/tm44-inspection-requirements-uk/ which explains when a commercial building may need an inspection.

Who Can Carry Out a TM44 Inspection?

A TM44 inspection should be carried out by a suitably qualified and accredited air conditioning energy assessor.

This is the most important point.

Not every air conditioning engineer is a TM44 assessor. Not every EPC assessor is a TM44 assessor. Not every F-Gas engineer is authorised to issue a valid TM44 report. The person carrying out the assessment must have the correct competence, accreditation and ability to produce the required report.

A qualified TM44 assessor understands both the mechanical side of air conditioning systems and the compliance requirements behind the inspection. They are not simply looking at whether the units turn on and off. They are reviewing the system from an energy performance and regulatory compliance perspective.

A proper TM44 assessor should understand:

• Air conditioning system types
• Split systems, VRF and VRV systems
• Chillers, AHUs and central cooling plant
• Cooling capacity calculations
• Building usage and occupancy patterns
• System control strategies
• Energy efficiency recommendations
• TM44 reporting requirements
• Report lodgement process
• Compliance obligations for commercial buildings

This is why finding the right assessor matters. A building owner does not just need someone to look at the air conditioning units. They need someone who can provide a valid inspection process and meaningful compliance documentation.

If you need to arrange an inspection, you can start with the TM44.uk quote page at https://tm44.uk/get-quote/ and provide the basic site information so the correct assessment route can be confirmed.

Can a Normal Air Conditioning Engineer Do a TM44 Inspection?

A normal air conditioning engineer can only carry out a TM44 inspection if they are also suitably qualified and accredited as an air conditioning energy assessor.

This is where many businesses get confused.

Your maintenance contractor may already visit the site once or twice per year. They may clean filters, inspect condensers, check faults, repair leaks, review F-Gas records and keep the system running. That is valuable, but it is not automatically a TM44 inspection.

Routine AC maintenance and TM44 inspections are different services.

An AC maintenance visit usually focuses on:

• Cleaning filters
• Checking refrigerant pressure
• Finding mechanical faults
• Testing controls
• Servicing indoor and outdoor units
• Preventing breakdowns
• Keeping the system operational

A TM44 inspection focuses on:

• Energy efficiency
• System suitability
• Cooling capacity
• Control strategy
• Maintenance adequacy
• Building usage
• Energy-saving recommendations
• Compliance reporting
• TM44 certificate and report requirements

In some cases, a company may offer both services. For example, a commercial air conditioning business may employ or subcontract an accredited TM44 assessor. That can work well, provided the assessor is properly qualified and the report is correctly handled.

However, if a contractor simply says, “We do air conditioning, so we can do TM44,” you should ask more questions before booking.

What Is a Qualified TM44 Assessor?

A qualified TM44 assessor is a professional trained to inspect air conditioning systems under the required energy assessment framework.

Their role is not simply to identify faults. Their role is to assess whether the air conditioning system is operating efficiently and whether improvements could reduce wasted energy. This can be particularly important in larger buildings where cooling can represent a major part of energy consumption.

A qualified assessor should be able to review systems in different types of commercial buildings, including:

• Offices
• Retail units
• Shopping centres
• Hotels
• Restaurants and commercial kitchens
• Dental practices and private clinics
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Warehouses and industrial sites
• Leisure centres and gyms
• Server rooms and data-heavy offices
• Public sector buildings
• Multi-tenant commercial properties

For larger or more complex buildings, the assessor may need stronger technical experience because the inspection can involve multiple systems, rooftop plant, VRF systems, packaged units, air handling units, heat recovery systems or separate systems across multiple buildings.

If your property has several buildings, a large asset list or complex plant, you should not rely on a generic low-cost quote with no technical review. The quote should be based on the number of buildings, systems, units, access conditions and available information.

TM44.uk regularly deals with enquiries where the customer has an F-Gas register, an asset list, several buildings or incomplete system information. If that applies to your site, it is worth reviewing https://tm44.uk/news-blog/what-we-need-from-you-for-a-tm44-quote/ before requesting a price.

How to Find a Qualified TM44 Assessor in the UK

The safest way to find a qualified TM44 assessor is to look for a provider that clearly understands TM44 compliance, asks the right questions before quoting, and can explain how the inspection and report process works.

A good assessor or inspection company should not quote blindly for every building without asking anything about the system.

Before booking, check the following.

• Does the assessor or company specifically offer TM44 inspections?
• Do they understand the 12kW cooling threshold?
• Do they ask about indoor units, outdoor units and cooling capacity?
• Do they ask whether the property is one building or several buildings?
• Do they ask for an asset list, F-Gas register or previous TM44 report?
• Do they explain whether the report will be lodged correctly?
• Do they understand commercial property types, not just domestic air conditioning?
• Do they provide a clear quote and expected turnaround?
• Do they have experience with your type of building?
• Can they cover your location?

If a company only gives you a very cheap figure with no questions, that can be a warning sign. A small office with two or three units is not the same as a multi-building site with dozens of indoor units, roof plant and access restrictions.

At TM44.uk, we cover commercial TM44 inspections across the UK through a structured process. You can submit the site address, number of units, asset list if available and any urgent timescale through https://tm44.uk/get-quote/ so the inspection can be reviewed properly.

What Information Does a TM44 Assessor Need Before Quoting?

A good TM44 assessor needs enough information to understand the likely scope of the inspection.

You do not always need perfect technical details, but the more information you provide, the faster and more accurate the quote will usually be.

Useful information includes:

• Full site address
• Type of property
• Number of buildings
• Whether buildings are physically connected or separate
• Number of indoor air conditioning units
• Number of outdoor condensers
• Make and model of systems, if known
• F-Gas register, if available
• Asset list, if available
• Previous TM44 report, if available
• Approximate floor area
• Access details
• Roof access requirements
• Parking information
• Site contact details
• Preferred inspection date
• Any deadline, enforcement notice or transaction requirement

For example, a small office with five wall-mounted units and easy access may be straightforward to quote. A large site with 80 or more units spread across eight buildings needs more review. The assessor may need to confirm whether the inspection requires one report or several reports, depending on how the buildings and systems are arranged.

This is why the cheapest quote is not always the safest quote. A proper TM44 quote should reflect the real scope of the inspection.

Case Study Example 1: The Office That Thought Their AC Contractor Had “Already Done It”

A London office contacted a compliance manager because they believed their air conditioning maintenance company had already handled everything. The facilities team had service sheets, F-Gas paperwork and maintenance invoices. On paper, the system looked well managed.

However, when the landlord requested compliance evidence, there was no valid TM44 report.

The maintenance company had been servicing the units, but no accredited TM44 inspection had been carried out. The business had confused routine air conditioning maintenance with legal energy assessment compliance.

This is a common problem. Many companies have good maintenance records but still do not have a current TM44 report.

The practical lesson is simple: maintenance paperwork is not the same as TM44 compliance. If you are unsure whether your building has a current report, you can review the guidance around the https://tm44.uk/tm44-register/ and check whether your compliance position needs updating.

Case Study Example 2: The Multi-Building Site With an Incomplete Asset List

A commercial client had a large site with multiple buildings and a long F-Gas register. The initial assumption was that the site needed one simple TM44 inspection.

After reviewing the information, it became clear that the property was more complex. The air conditioning systems were spread across several buildings, with different systems serving different areas. Some units were active, some were decommissioned and some were listed on older maintenance records.

In this type of situation, an assessor cannot responsibly treat the job like a small office visit. The correct scope depends on the buildings, systems, cooling capacity and operational status of the plant.

A proper TM44 inspection company will ask questions before quoting because the difference between one building and several separate buildings can affect the number of reports, inspection time and final cost.

This is one of the reasons TM44.uk asks for site details, asset lists and access information before confirming larger inspections. It protects both the client and the assessor.

Case Study Example 3: The Managing Agent Who Needed a Fast Answer Before a Lease

A managing agent was dealing with a commercial lease handover. The tenant’s solicitor asked for energy compliance documents, including information about air conditioning inspection compliance.

The agent had an EPC, fire risk assessment and maintenance records, but no clear TM44 report. The landlord was not sure whether the building crossed the 12kW threshold.

In this situation, time matters. The agent did not need a long technical debate. They needed a fast review, confirmation of likely requirements and a practical route to inspection if required.

This is where a specialist TM44 inspection provider adds value. A good assessor can review the basic information, ask for the AC asset list, estimate whether the building may be in scope and arrange the inspection if required.

If you are buying, selling, leasing or refinancing a commercial building, it is worth checking your TM44 position early. You can also read more about commercial property transaction risk in https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-commercial-property-deal-risk/ because missing compliance documents can create unnecessary friction during due diligence.

Warning Signs When Choosing a TM44 Assessor

Not every quote is equal. Some companies may be professional and properly accredited. Others may offer vague compliance services without clearly explaining who is carrying out the inspection or what will be provided.

Be careful if you see these warning signs:

• The company cannot explain who will carry out the inspection
• The quote is given without asking about the building or system
• There is no mention of accreditation
• The provider confuses F-Gas checks with TM44 inspections
• The provider says maintenance records are enough
• The quote does not confirm whether report preparation is included
• The company does not ask whether there are multiple buildings
• The provider cannot explain the 12kW threshold
• There is no clear timescale for the report
• The price is unusually cheap for a large or complex building
• The assessor has no obvious experience with commercial properties

A low price can be attractive, especially if the inspection feels like another compliance cost. But if the report is not valid, not properly completed or not suitable for the property, the saving can become irrelevant.

A proper TM44 inspection should give you confidence that the compliance requirement has been handled correctly.

What Should a TM44 Assessor Check During the Inspection?

The exact inspection process depends on the property and system type, but a professional TM44 assessor will usually review both physical equipment and supporting information.

During the inspection, the assessor may review:

• Outdoor condensers
• Indoor units
• Chillers or packaged units
• Air handling units, if relevant
• Controls and thermostats
• System zoning
• Maintenance records
• F-Gas records
• Operating schedules
• Cooling loads
• Access and plant condition
• Evidence of poor control or wasted energy
• Opportunities for efficiency improvements

The assessor may also speak with the site contact or facilities manager to understand how the building is used. This matters because a system that looks reasonable on paper may still be running inefficiently if controls are poor, rooms are overcooled or equipment is operating outside normal occupancy hours.

Common issues found during TM44 inspections include:

• Heating and cooling running at the same time
• Poorly set thermostats
• Blocked filters
• Missing maintenance records
• Units running in unused rooms
• Oversized systems
• Poor zoning
• Old equipment with poor efficiency
• Server rooms being overcooled
• Rooftop units that have been forgotten
• Systems still listed but no longer in use
• Poor access to plant

These findings are important because TM44 is not only about avoiding penalties. It can also highlight where a business is wasting energy.

Does the TM44 Assessor Issue the Certificate?

A qualified assessor should prepare the TM44 report and arrange the required process so the client receives the correct documentation.

The report should include findings and recommendations based on the inspection. It should help the building owner or manager understand whether the system is being operated efficiently and what improvements could be considered.

Recommendations may include:

• Adjusting control settings
• Improving maintenance routines
• Replacing inefficient equipment
• Reviewing operating hours
• Improving zoning
• Cleaning or replacing filters
• Repairing faulty controls
• Reviewing cooling demand
• Reducing simultaneous heating and cooling
• Considering more efficient replacement systems

The recommendations are usually advisory rather than mandatory, but they can still be valuable. They can help reduce energy waste, support ESG objectives, strengthen property compliance records and guide future maintenance or upgrade decisions.

If your previous report has expired, see https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-certificate-expired-what-happens/ for more detail on what that can mean for your compliance position.

How Often Do You Need a TM44 Inspection?

A qualifying air conditioning system generally requires a TM44 inspection every five years.

This means a building that had a valid report several years ago may now be overdue. Many businesses only discover this when:

• A landlord requests documents
• A managing agent reviews compliance files
• A buyer’s solicitor asks questions
• An insurer requests evidence
• A facilities manager changes role
• A local authority or enforcement query is received
• A new tenant takes occupation
• A property is being sold or refinanced

The five-year cycle is important because TM44 compliance can easily be forgotten. Unlike annual servicing, it does not happen every year. That makes renewal reminders and proper compliance file management very useful.

If you manage several buildings, it is worth building a simple TM44 register for your portfolio. Record the property address, inspection date, report expiry date, assessor details and next renewal deadline.

TM44.uk can help with portfolio TM44 inspections and compliance planning through https://tm44.uk/tm44-portfolio-management/ for landlords, managing agents and multi-site operators.

Who Is Responsible for Arranging the TM44 Inspection?

Responsibility can depend on the property arrangement, lease terms and who controls the air conditioning system.

In many cases, responsibility may sit with the building owner, landlord, operator or person who controls the system. In multi-let buildings, the position can be more complex. A landlord may control central cooling plant, while tenants may control separate systems within demised areas.

This is why managing agents and landlords should not assume the tenant has handled everything. Equally, tenants should not assume the landlord has covered systems that serve their own areas.

Common responsible parties include:

• Commercial landlords
• Building owners
• Managing agents
• Facilities managers
• Property managers
• Business occupiers
• Tenants with control of their own AC systems
• Multi-site operators
• Public sector estate teams

Where responsibility is unclear, it is sensible to review the lease, maintenance obligations and control of the air conditioning system. TM44.uk has a useful guide on https://tm44.uk/news-blog/tm44-legal-responsibility-landlord-tenant-managing-agent/ which explains this issue in more detail.

Why Choosing the Right TM44 Assessor Can Save Time and Money

A good TM44 assessor does more than issue a report. They help you avoid confusion, delays and poor decisions.

Choosing the right assessor can help you:

• Confirm whether the building is likely to be in scope
• Avoid paying for the wrong service
• Understand whether multiple reports may be needed
• Prepare the right documents before the visit
• Reduce site disruption
• Receive clearer recommendations
• Improve your compliance file
• Avoid rushed last-minute decisions
• Support property transactions and lease events
• Plan future renewals properly

For businesses with several sites, the right provider can also help standardise the process. Instead of each branch, site manager or local contractor handling TM44 differently, a centralised approach gives better control.

This is especially useful for:

• Retail chains
• Office portfolios
• Hotel groups
• Restaurant groups
• Healthcare groups
• Schools and academies
• Industrial operators
• Managing agents
• Property investment companies

If your business operates across multiple UK cities, TM44.uk can help arrange inspections nationally through one point of contact.

TM44.uk: Helping You Find the Right TM44 Inspection Solution

TM44.uk provides UK-wide support for commercial air conditioning inspections, TM44 reports and compliance guidance.

We work with clients who need straightforward answers, fast quotes and professional inspection support. Whether you already know your system is over 12kW or you are unsure whether your building qualifies, we can help review the basic information and advise on the next step.

Our service is suitable for:

• Commercial offices
• Retail premises
• Hotels and leisure buildings
• Restaurants, pubs and commercial kitchens
• Warehouses and industrial units
• Healthcare and dental premises
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Public sector buildings
• Multi-site portfolios
• Managing agents and landlords
• Businesses needing urgent inspection support

We can help with:

• TM44 inspection quotes
• Accredited assessor coordination
• Review of asset lists and F-Gas registers
• UK-wide inspection coverage
• Emergency and urgent TM44 enquiries
• Portfolio inspection planning
• Commercial property transaction support
• Report and certificate guidance
• Renewal reminders and compliance file support

If you are unsure what information is needed, start with the basic details: property address, number of units, building type and any asset list you already have. You can request a quote through https://tm44.uk/get-quote/ and the team will review the scope.

Practical Checklist Before You Book a TM44 Assessor

Before booking a TM44 inspection, use this checklist.

• Confirm whether the property is commercial or non-domestic
• Check whether the combined cooling capacity may exceed 12kW
• Find any previous TM44 report
• Find any F-Gas register or AC asset list
• Count the number of indoor and outdoor units
• Identify whether the site has one building or multiple buildings
• Check access requirements, especially roof access
• Confirm whether parking or permits are needed
• Identify a site contact
• Ask whether the assessor is qualified and accredited
• Ask what is included in the quote
• Ask how long the report will take
• Keep the final report in your compliance file
• Set a reminder before the five-year renewal date

This checklist is simple, but it prevents most problems. The biggest delays usually happen when there is no asset list, no site contact, unclear access or confusion over how many buildings are included.

Final Advice: Do Not Treat TM44 Like a Box-Ticking Exercise

A TM44 inspection is a legal compliance requirement, but it is also a useful opportunity to understand how your air conditioning system is performing.

The wrong approach is to look for the cheapest possible quote without checking who is doing the inspection.

The better approach is to choose a qualified TM44 assessor or specialist inspection company that understands the building, asks the right questions and provides a proper report.

For small sites, the process can be straightforward. For larger buildings and portfolios, it needs more care. Either way, the principle is the same: the inspection should be handled by someone competent, accredited and experienced with commercial air conditioning systems.

If you need a qualified TM44 assessor in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham, Newcastle, Cambridge, Oxford or anywhere across the UK, TM44.uk can help arrange the right inspection support.

To get started, request a quote at https://tm44.uk/get-quote/ and include your site address, number of air conditioning units and any asset list or F-Gas register you already have.

A valid TM44 inspection is not just paperwork. It protects your compliance position, supports your property records and can help identify unnecessary energy waste before it becomes a bigger cost.