Energy Performance Certificate Changes for Scotland: What Customers Need to Know in 2026

Energy Performance Certificates in Scotland are undergoing reform, but an important change to the timetable means customers need clear and current information.

The proposed new system was intended to reduce the validity of Scottish EPCs from 10 years to five years, alongside introducing redesigned certificates and new rating systems. These changes were originally scheduled to take effect on 31 October 2026.

However, following an official update on 17 March 2026, the Scottish Government confirmed that the new certificates, five-year validity period and revised ratings will not come into force in October 2026 as planned. The existing EPC system therefore remains in place until further notice. Scottish Government

This means EPCs in Scotland generally continue to have a 10-year validity period for now. The planned reduction to five years remains part of the reform programme, but it has been delayed and does not currently have a confirmed commencement date.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate provides information about a building’s energy efficiency, estimated energy costs and environmental impact. Domestic properties receive a rating from A, representing the highest performance, to G, representing the lowest.

An EPC also includes recommendations for improving the property. These might cover insulation, glazing, heating controls, lighting or renewable-energy technology.

In Scotland, an EPC is generally required when a property is built, sold or rented. Sellers normally include it in the Home Report, while landlords must make the certificate available to prospective tenants.

Why was EPC validity due to change?

Under the current Scottish system, an EPC is normally valid for 10 years. However, a great deal can change during that time. A homeowner might replace a boiler, install insulation or upgrade windows. Equally, an older assessment methodology may no longer give customers the clearest picture of a building’s performance.

The proposed five-year validity period is intended to ensure that buyers and tenants receive more recent information. A certificate based on a newer assessment should provide a more relevant indication of the property’s energy performance at the point of sale or letting.

More frequent certification may also encourage owners to review improvements regularly. For landlords and businesses with several properties, however, it could mean additional assessments, administration and expense.

A clearer rating system for homes

The new domestic EPC is intended to replace reliance on one headline measure with three principal ratings:

• Heat Retention Rating: This will assess how effectively the property retains heat, reflecting features such as insulation, glazing and air tightness.
• Heating System Rating: This will provide information about the heating system’s efficiency and emissions.
• Energy Cost Rating: This will estimate the property’s energy costs under standardised conditions.

This approach should help customers distinguish between the performance of the building itself and the system used to heat it. For example, a home could retain heat efficiently but still use a relatively high-emission heating system.

Changes for non-domestic buildings

Commercial buildings are also expected to receive more detailed certificates. The planned non-domestic system includes an Energy Performance Rating, a Direct Emissions Rating and an Energy Use Rating.

These separate indicators should help business owners, tenants and investors understand how a building uses energy and where its emissions originate. A supporting Property Report is also expected to provide recommendations and additional information about potential improvements.

The new system could therefore influence investment decisions, planned refurbishments and discussions between commercial landlords and tenants.

Why have the reforms been delayed?

Scotland’s reforms depend partly on UK-wide technical work, including the development of a new methodology known as the Home Energy Model and the completion of assessor training.

The UK Government delayed related reforms until the second half of 2027. As a result, Scotland postponed its October 2026 implementation. The Scottish Government has said that it cannot confirm a replacement date until the revised timetable has been agreed. The regulations will then need to be amended to reflect the new commencement date.

The planned transitional arrangements have also been paused. Customers should not assume that the second half of 2027 is already a confirmed Scottish start date.

One element has proceeded: the new Scottish EPC Accreditation Scheme launched following regulations that came into effect on 1 January 2026. However, this does not mean that five-year certificates have begun. Scottish Government

What should customers do now?

Homeowners, landlords and businesses should continue to follow the existing Scottish EPC requirements. A valid certificate issued under the current regime can generally remain valid for up to 10 years, although a fresh assessment may be required after significant changes or where another legal trigger applies.

Anyone selling or letting a property should check that the EPC is valid and available at the correct stage. Owners planning improvements may also wish to obtain advice on insulation and heating upgrades, particularly as the future certificate will assess these areas more distinctly.

Landlords with several properties should record EPC expiry dates and budget for the eventual move to more frequent assessments. They should also monitor official announcements rather than relying on the former October 2026 timetable.

Key dates and changes

• 1 January 2026: Regulations supporting the new Scottish EPC Accreditation Scheme came into effect.
• 17 March 2026: The Scottish Government formally announced the delay to the new EPC system.
• 31 October 2026: The reforms, including five-year EPC validity, were originally due to start but will not now commence on this date.
• Current validity: Scottish EPCs generally remain valid for 10 years under the existing system.
• Future validity: EPC validity is planned to reduce from 10 years to five years when the delayed reforms take effect.
• Future domestic certificates: New Heat Retention, Heating System and Energy Cost ratings are planned.
• Future commercial certificates: Energy Performance, Direct Emissions and Energy Use ratings are planned.
• Revised start date: No new Scottish commencement date has yet been confirmed; the existing EPC system remains in force until further notice.