The Scottish Government consulted the public in 2025 on its revised plans for the introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for the private rental sector (PRS). Legislation is already in place but regulations were withdrawn in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.

The Scottish Government has since indicated that it is now minded to:

• have compliance demonstrated through Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
• base the standard on a new metric Heat Retention Rating, which is a measure of the amount of insulation in the property and is unaffected by the type of heating system,  lighting or presence of renewable energy generation such as solar panels.
• regulate a standard broadly equivalent in today’s EPC system to Band C for properties with a gas boiler.  
• require landlords to spend not more than £10,000 per property to comply with the standard. 
• exemptions will apply if it can be demonstrated that measures are unsuitable.
• tie the introduction of PRS MEES to a new EPC calculation method called Home Energy Model (HEM) being introduced by the UK Government. 

In March 2026, the UK Government announced that the introduction of HEM was delayed to the second half of 2027, which is therefore the earliest date that PRS MEES can be introduced.

Interest free loans for energy efficiency and renewables in private rental properties are available through Home Energy Scotland. 

Tenants vulnerable to fuel poverty may eligible for funded improvements through Warmer Homes Scotland

• Home Energy Scotland – Energy efficiency support for private landlords
• Warmer Homes Scotland