Calls for better energy efficiency in Scotland

Landlords should be required to meet tougher targets for the energy efficiency of their properties, Labour has said.

The party is calling on the Scottish Government to set a higher benchmark for the energy efficiency of private rented homes.

Scottish Ministers recently consulted on plans to set a minimum standard of energy efficiency in private rented sector housing of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating D by 2025.

The consultation paper said the government was also seeking views on raising the standard further.

Labour wants all private properties to be brought up to an EPC rating of at least C by 2025.

The party highlighted figures showing that 33% of privately-renting households were in fuel poverty in 2015.

Housing spokeswoman Pauline McNeill MSP said: Unfortunately for many in Scotland, and particularly for those in the private rented sector, a warm home is not a reality.

There already exist strict standards over the energy efficiency of homes in the social housing sector, yet there is none whatsoever for privately rented homes. It's time to place higher obligations on private landlords to achieve this.

The Scottish Government's plans to introduce minimum standards on EPC D simply don't go far enough.''

Labour also wants landlord registration to be enhanced to ensure that energy efficiency regulations are enforced.

The call for tougher standards were backed by WWF Scotland.

Senior climate and energy policy officer Sarah Beattie-Smith said: Improving the energy efficiency of Scotland's homes is a win-win.

It creates healthier places to live, tackles fuel poverty, creates jobs and fights climate change.

It makes no sense that some private renters are currently forced to waste precious cash and carbon heating the air outside their cold and leaky homes.

That's why we want the Scottish Government to take action through the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, and by introducing regulations to protect private tenants.'