Energy efficiency

The government has advised us that it still intends to publish draft regulations early this year to bring in the following requirements for PRS properties: –

• properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E at change of tenancy from 1 April 2020
• all rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E by 31 March 2022
• properties must have a minimum EPC rating of D at change of tenancy from 1 April 2022
• all rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of D by 31 March 2025

In some situations there will be exemptions, including where it is not cost effective or technically feasible to carry out improvements to a property. The details of what the exemptions will be have not yet been announced.

SAL has a factsheet on improving EPC ratings which can be found at https://scottishlandlords.com/resources/documents-factsheets/factsheet-improving-energy-efficiency/. As a very general rule you can expect the following improvements to your EPC rating for the following types of work (there are roughly 10 points in each of the A-G EPC bands): –

• More efficient/cheaper to run heating – up to 40 points
• Better heating controls – up to 5 points
• Install wall or loft insulation – up to 11 points
• Higher performance glazing – up to 4 points
• Low energy lighting – around 1 point