Tenants must benefit from proposed energy efficiency rules, warns Existing Homes Alliance

In its response to a recent consultation on new energy efficiency standards, the Existing Homes Alliance (EHA) welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to introducing minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented homes. The group expressed support for elements of the planned regulations, highlighting that the proposals will drive the essential fabric upgrades needed to reduce energy demand, cutting fuel poverty and greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

However, the Alliance warned that without appropriate protections in the Housing Bill that is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament, there is a risk that the costs of meeting the standard will be passed on to tenants – potentially undermining efforts to tackle fuel poverty.

The Alliance goes on to highlight that excluding holiday lets from meeting the new standard risks exacerbating an already severe housing crisis, potentially encouraging private landlords to switch from providing homes to short-term lets and holiday accommodation.

There is also concern that Scottish tenants will have to wait longer than their English counterparts for energy efficient homes, with the proposed date for all private rented homes meeting the new standard of EPC HHR rating of C slipping from 2028 to 2033. This compares to a proposed date of 2030 for England private rented homes to meet EPC Band C.

Lori McElroy, chair of EHA, said: “These proposed regulations are a positive step towards setting out a clear path for landlords to make homes safer, warmer and more affordable to heat, as well as reducing carbon emissions from homes. But we must ensure that tenants don’t end up worse off because of improvements landlords are rightly asked to make to their properties.

“We’re disappointed to see that the date for introducing these standards has slipped for existing tenants. It now looks like Scotland is falling behind England on ensuring warm, healthy homes for people living in the private rented sector.”

The EHA is calling on the Scottish Government to amend its proposals to recognise the links with the Housing Bill and to ensure tenants are not worst off as a result of important and necessary energy efficiency improvements.