This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

All landlords who let out property to new tenants after 4 January 2009 must be able to produce a valid energy performance certificate (EPC).

What is an energy performance certificate?

Energy performance certificates were introduced on 4 January 2009 under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which aims to improve the energy performance of new and existing buildings.

An EPC provides an energy rating for your property and makes simple, cost-effective recommendations for ways in which its efficiency could be improved, to help save energy, reduce bills and cut carbon dioxide emissions. The certificate is valid for ten years.

A sample certificate can be downloaded from the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA) website.

Who needs to produce an EPC?

If you're letting out a property to new tenants, you must be able to produce a valid EPC free of charge to anyone interested in renting it. If you already have tenants living in your property, you won't need an EPC until you wish to take on new tenants.

A prospective tenant is anyone who:

• requests information about your property in order to decide whether or not to rent it
• asks to view your property to decide whether or not to rent it
• makes a written or verbal offer to rent your property.

You must produce the certificate within nine days of the request.

Can I charge the tenant to see the certificate?

No. The EPC must be available free of charge.

Are there any exemptions?

The requirement to produce an EPC applies to all self-contained units. This means that if you're letting out a flat, house or bedsit, you must produce an EPC. However, you won't need an EPC if you're letting out a room in your home, where the tenant will share your kitchen and bathroom facilities, or if you rent out a shared house or flat to several tenants, and one of them moves out and a new tenant moves in. However, if all the tenants move out and you then re-let the property, you will need an EPC.

How do I get an EPC?

A full list of organisations which can provide EPCs is available on the SBSA website.

How much will it cost?

The SBSA estimates that the cost of an EPC will be around £100-150.

What if I don't produce an EPC?

If you fail to produce a valid EPC within nine days of a prospective tenant requesting one, they can complain to the council, who can issue you with a penalty charge notice of up to £500.

In addition, if the council suspects that you don't have an EPC when you should, they can ask you to produce one, and if you don't do so within seven days, you will receive a penalty charge notice.

Where can I find out more?

Further information about EPCs is available at the SBSA website.