Self-catering owners across Scotland have been given greater clarity following a new update from the Scottish Government confirming that planned reforms to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will now be delayed.
In line with decisions taken by the UK Government, the Scottish Government has confirmed that implementation of EPC reform will be pushed back until at least the second half of 2027. This delay is also expected to push back the introduction of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
For now, the current EPC system remains in place. The existing regulations introduced in 2008 will continue to apply, and there is no immediate requirement for self-catering owners to update their EPCs unless they are already required to do so under the existing rules.
Planned transitional arrangements linked to EPC reform have also been paused, meaning the sector can continue operating under the current framework while the Scottish Government reviews the timeline for introducing the updated system.
The reforms were intended to modernise Scotland’s EPC framework through the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025, introducing updated certificates, new rating systems and improvements to the operational infrastucture.
However, the latest announcement means those changes will not be implemented in the near term, giving property owners and businesses additional time before any new requirements come into force.
At present, the status quo remains. Self-catering operators should:
We will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more information becomes available.
Owners who want to explore the latest government update can read the official publication here