The roll-out of EPC Reform in Scotland

The Scottish Government has released more info about new-style EPCs, including a new go-live date. Unsurprisingly, they've delayed the launch until 2028.

If you’re not up to speed with how Energy Performance Certificates are changing in Scotland (with similar changes incoming for England and Wales too), you can find my older articles below.

We'll start to see the new EPCs in Scotland from April 2028, with old-style EPCs requiring replacing from April 2029.

🟢🟡🟠 Soon, Scottish EPCs will start displaying three A-G ratings instead of one.

🏠 Domestic properties will be ranked using heat retention (fabric performance), heating system efficiency and energy costs.

🏭 Non-domestic EPCs will be assessed using overall energy performance, energy usage and direct emissions.

The new EPC will be valid for only five years, not ten. There’s also going to be a new accreditation scheme, higher quality assurance process, and new software (presumably replacing SAP with the Home Energy Model, but I can’t see that mentioned in the official release).

https://www.gov.scot/publications/energy-performance-certificates-guide/pages/overview/

⏳ It will be business as usual until 30th April 2028.

⏳ We’ll then enter a 12 month transition where:

◾ All newly produced EPCs, for both new and existing buildings, must be to the new-style

◾ Old-style EPCs will still be in circulation, and can be used for new sales and rentals.

◾ But, if the same property is re-sold or re-leased within the transition period, a new-style EPC will be required for the second handover.

◾ If an old-style EPC expires during the transition period, it needs to be replaced with a new-style EPC.

⏳ Then, from 30th April 2029.

◾ All old-style EPCs will no longer be valid, and cannot be used for new sales or rentals. A new-style EPC will be required, even if the old-style is still within its expiry date.

Some larger non-domestic building are required to display EPC certificates. These can continue to display old-style EPCs until 30th April 2033. After that date, all old style EPCs must be replaced.

Specific details and timeframes haven't been confirmed yet for England and Wales, but I'd expect announcements in the near future to align the launch date across the three nations.