The Scottish Government has announced some major updates to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for domestic and commercial properties. These updates include a brand-new way of calculating energy ratings, a redesigned EPC layout, and refreshed rules to bring Scotland more in line with the rest of the UK.
But here’s the good news – the basic rules around when you need an EPC aren’t changing.
If you didn’t need an EPC before, you still don’t. And if you did, you still do. The difference is that any new EPCs issued after the changes come in will need to follow the new rules.
Short-term lets, such as holiday rentals, make up a big and important part of Scotland’s housing market. But understanding how these new EPC rules apply to STLs can be tricky.
Our current understanding is that if your STL property already needs to display an EPC rating, you’ll need to update it to the new version by 31 October 2026.
It’s not yet clear exactly how the 12-month transition period will apply to short-term lets, so the safest option is to assume your property will need a new EPC by that date. This will mean arranging a fresh survey and getting a new certificate, which will then be valid for five years.
The Scottish Government has also finished consulting on new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for private rented homes. The idea is to make homes warmer, cheaper to run, and better for the environment.
Under the current proposals:
These rules are mainly aimed at tackling fuel poverty – something that’s a big issue in the private rented sector.
At the moment, short-term lets are expected to be excluded from these new MEES rules. This is because guests staying in holiday lets don’t usually pay energy bills directly, so they wouldn’t benefit in the same way as long-term tenants.
However, the Scottish Government has said that a new Heat in Buildings (HiBs) Bill will include powers to expand MEES in the future. That means that, down the line, energy standards could also apply to short-term lets if the Government decides to include them.
These changes might sound complicated – but you don’t have to figure them out alone.
At DM Hall, we’re here to make the process straightforward. Our expert team can explain what the new EPC rules mean for you, help you prepare for the 2026 changes, and make sure your property meets all the right standards.
If you’re unsure where to start or want friendly, professional advice, get in touch with DM Hall today. We’ll help you stay compliant, save time, and plan ahead with confidence.
Author of guidance: DM Hall
Date of guidance: November 2025
Website: www.assc.co.uk / https://www.dmhall.co.uk
Contact details: communications@assc.co.uk / https://www.dmhall.co.uk/contact
Disclaimer – Guidance Sheets are written by experienced Members of the ASSC and other experts. The information in the ‘Guidance Sheet’ is provided by the ASSC for use by Members in support of their own independent business decisions. It does not constitute advice or instruction for which the ASSC can be held liable in any way whatsoever. All Members and other readers remain responsible for the consequences of any decisions taken whether in the light of information gained from this Guidance Sheet or not.