EPC legislation changes
The Scottish Government announced minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented properties on 2 May 2018.
The standards form part of the Energy Efficient Scotland programme which aims to ensure homes and buildings are warmer, greener and more efficient. Landlords have for some time needed to display their properties EPC rating on their adverts but from 1 April 2020 new minimum energy efficiency standards will be required to let out a property and will increase over time:
- From 1 April 2020, any new tenancy will require the property to have an EPC of at least band E.
- By 31 March 2022, all properties will need to have at least EPC band E.
- From 1 April 2022, any new tenancy will require the property to have an EPC of at least band D.
- By 31 March 2025, all properties will need to have at least EPC band D.
- From 1 April 2025, any new tenancy will require the property to have an EPC of at least band C (this requirement is currently in consultation).
- By 2030, all properties will need to have at least EPC band C.
Exceptions will be made as some properties will not be able to meet these standards (listed buildings for instance) but this will be clarified by the Scottish Government which is currently drafting regulations and additional guidance on these standards to be published in May 2019.
If you would like advice on letting out your property and how this may affect you please do give us a call. We will shortly commence an audit of our managed stock and identify properties that are going to fall short of these new standards next year and look to put plans in place to improve them.