"While we naturally welcome measures to improve the energy performance of homes within the rented sector, thus saving tenants money and tackling fuel poverty, we fundamentally believe that a more collaborative, balanced and proportionate approach is needed"
- Anamika Dwivedi - SPF
The Scottish Property Federation (SPF) has warned that the introduction of energy efficiency measures in the private rented sector (PRS) could worsen Scotland’s housing crisis unless more flexible timelines are applied.
Currently, all rental properties must achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2028 for new lets, and by 2033 for all existing tenancies. The SPF argues that the short timeframe for new lettings does not allow landlords enough time to improve property efficiency and could reduce the availability of homes for rent.
While welcoming the ambition to raise the energy performance of rental homes, the SPF is urging the Scottish Government to provide clear guidance on the new EPC standards and to ensure adequate support is available to make meaningful improvements to housing stock.
As a compromise, the SPF recommends setting the EPC C deadline for new lets to 2030. This, it says, would give landlords more time to adapt while still improving energy efficiency and reducing tenants’ energy bills.
This recommendation forms part of the SPF’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for the private rented sector, which aims to reach an equivalent of EPC C.
The proposals are included in the Heat in Buildings Bill, expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament by the end of this year, with the intention of passing it before the 2026 Holyrood elections.
Commenting on the proposals, Anamika Dwivedi, senior policy officer at the SPF, said: “While we naturally welcome measures to improve the energy performance of homes within the rented sector, thus saving tenants money and tackling fuel poverty, we fundamentally believe that a more collaborative, balanced and proportionate approach is needed. One that must consider the needs of both landlords and tenants and be realistic about the ability of the sector to prepare for this."
"That is why we are calling for a more achievable commencement date of 2030 for new tenancies. As the risk of not doing so will place significant financial strain on the private rented sector, potentially exacerbating the ongoing housing crisis and limiting the supply of homes to rent.”
