Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing: guidance for social landlords

4.0 Stock information

4.1 As the EESSH is a variable rating, it is vital that social landlords can identify the energy efficiency rating of their stock at the outset. Social landlords are currently monitoring progress towards achieving the SHQS by 2015. This includes using energy efficiency data to report on Element 35 of the SHQS (reaching a required SAP rating). While it is anticipated that landlords will increasingly make use of Energy Performance Certificates ( EPCs) for each properly, there is no requirement inherent in achieving the EESSH that social landlords must purchase a new EPC for every property. Energy modelling can be undertaken to assess the baseline energy efficiency ratings of stock, without the need to lodge a new EPC for every property.

4.2 It is anticipated that landlords will already have or be working towards a property database that holds detailed condition and energy efficiency information for each individual property in ownership. Whether this is achieved by a survey of every property or by 'cloning' or 'extrapolation' from samples is likely to depend upon the scale and variations of property type within the property portfolio. Whichever method is chosen, landlords will need to be assured that their information is fully robust, supports business and investment planning processes and enables accurate reporting to the Scottish Housing Regulator.

4.3 Social landlords will wish to decide for themselves when it would be most beneficial to 'refresh' energy efficiency details, including EPCs, to reflect the instalment of any new energy efficient measures to a property and record this into the systems they have in place. As work may be phased, social landlords will need to consider when is the best point in time to record improvements. This will enable landlords to build their asset management information of their housing stock, which will also help in reporting levels of compliance to the Scottish Housing Regulator.