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Rigid EPC timescales in Scotland risk shrinking PRS

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Scotland’s housing crisis will worsen unless the Government gives private landlords more time to upgrade their properties, the Scottish Property Federation (SPF) has warned.

The Scottish Government launched a consultation in June proposing that all rental homes must achieve an EPC rating C by 4th January 2028 for new lettings, and by the end of 2033 for all existing tenancies.

The SPF argues that this timescale, especially for new lets, doesn’t give landlords long enough to improve the efficiency of their properties and may limit the supply of homes to rent. It echoes similar fears voiced by the Scottish Association of Landlords.

Clarity

The SPF believes 2030 is a more realistic date for the introduction of these measures on new lets, to ensure the PRS can adapt and prepare for such substantial regulatory change.

The group has called on the Scottish Government to provide clarity on these new EPC standards and provide sufficient support to deliver genuine improvements to Scotland’s housing stock.

Proposals

The proposals are in the Heat in Buildings Bill, which is to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament by the end of this year and likely to be passed in time for the 2026 Holyrood elections in May. The Government says that among Scotland’s 300,000 rented homes, 48% are under a band C and 14% have the lowest E-G bands, while 44% of private tenants live in fuel poverty.

For landlords, there will be two key exemptions including a cost cap of £10,000, while they will not be required to install anything which is technically unsuitable for the type of property they own or for which they cannot attain the required consent.

Anamika Dwivedi, senior policy officer at the SPF, believes a more collaborative, balanced and proportionate approach is needed. “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,” she says.

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