Jocelyne Fleming

The coalition stresses, however, this potential will only be realised if policy is designed and implemented in close collaboration with the built environment sector. If implemented incorrectly, HEETSAs could create new barriers to the widescale delivery of retrofit works across Scotland, the group says.

The coalition, known as the Retrofit Roundtable and chaired by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), brings together more than 14 organisations from across the built environment sector, spanning practitioners, academics, professional bodies, construction
trade federations, and policy specialists.

Members say the success of HEETSAs will depend on early and ongoing engagement with industry to ensure these assessments are practical, affordable, and that the programme is implementable, with sufficient people with the skills and qualifications needed to deliver HEETSAs accurately and at scale.

Key recommendations from the Roundtable include:

• Ensure independent assessments: HEETSA assessors should be impartial and free from links to manufacturers, installers, or other commercial interests, so advice is trusted and based solely on the property’s technical needs.
• Tackle skills shortages: Success depends on a well-trained workforce, with clear role definitions, structured training pathways, and sufficient lead-in time to build capacity before launch.
• Keep the system proportionate and practical: The process for conducting HEETSAs and accrediting assessors must be robust enough to guarantee quality and independence, but avoid unnecessary complexity or duplication of existing schemes.
• Plan for realistic costs and support: Financial impacts for homeowners, landlords, and local authorities should be factored in, with targeted grants or incentives to encourage uptake, particularly among lower-income households.
• Align with existing tools and policies: HEETSAs should integrate with tools such as Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), building passports, and national databases to ensure consistency and prevent duplication.
• Communicate clearly to consumers: A national information campaign should explain what HEETSA is, why it matters, and how it benefits households, to build public understanding and trust.

Jocelyne Fleming, policy lead for Scotland at CIOB, said:  “HEETSA proposals represent a positive step towards delivering high-quality, consistent retrofit advice across Scotland. But success will depend on working with industry from the outset to ensure the system is practical, affordable, and underpinned by the skills
 needed to deliver at scale.”

Fiona Hodgson, chief executive of the plumbing and heating federation (SNIPEF), added:  “Our members are eager to play their part in improving Scotland’s homes, but the tools we use must be realistic and workable on the ground. The HEETSA proposals have potential, provided assessments are designed in partnership with the people who will deliver them.”

The Roundtable is calling for early and ongoing engagement between Scottish Government and the retrofit sector to ensure the proposals are implementable in practice and deliver meaningful results at the pace and scale required.