Private landlords across Scotland could soon face new energy efficiency requirements as part of a fresh push to tackle fuel poverty and cut climate emissions.
Under new proposals, privately rented homes would need to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard from 2028, with further improvements phased in by 2033.
The Scottish Government is looking to introduce regulations that would require rented properties to achieve a band C rating under the reformed Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system, which is being updated to better reflect how homes retain heat.
There are around 300,000 privately rented properties in Scotland.
Under the new rules, landlords would be prohibited from letting homes that do not meet the standard unless they have carried out the necessary energy efficiency upgrades.
The revised EPC system, coming in 2026, will provide clearer information on how well a property retains heat, the emissions and running costs of its heating system, and the overall energy costs for tenants.
Alasdair Allan, Acting Minister for Climate Action, said it was vital to strike the right balance between achieving Scotland’s net zero target and tackling fuel poverty.
“Improving energy efficiency is one of the key ways we can make progress on both fronts,” he said.
“Homes with higher energy efficiency standards have lower rates of fuel poverty.
“Many privately rented properties are already performing well, but there is more work to do to bring all homes up to a good standard.”
He added that the proposed changes would not only lower energy costs for tenants but also support the wider transition to clean heating.
The Scottish Government will soon introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill to further strengthen these efforts.
“Better insulation and energy efficiency measures will also improve tenants’ health by reducing the risk of cold and damp homes,” Mr Allan said.
Support will be available for landlords to help them make the necessary improvements, with a range of Scottish Government schemes already in place to promote cleaner heating and better energy efficiency.
The proposals also include exemptions for cases where landlords are unable to obtain third-party consent for improvement works, or where the work could damage the fabric of the property.
Previous plans to regulate energy efficiency in the private rented sector were set out in 2020 but had to be withdrawn due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now, with an updated framework and renewed focus, the government hopes to push forward with this essential work to ensure that all rented homes in Scotland are warmer, greener and more affordable to run.
