Improving energy efficiency in owner occupied homes: consultation

Annex B: Defining Major Renovation

When householders make improvements to their homes, these need to comply with Scottish Building Standards^[19]. If a builder is doing the work for you, it's the responsibility of the builder to meet Scottish Building Standards. But it's your responsibility as a homeowner to ensure that the builder does so.

In some cases, building work and renovations may need a building warrant. All works must meet building regulations, even if no building warrant is required. Householders should always check with their local building standards department if they need a building warrant, before carrying out any renovations.

Currently, with some limited exceptions, building regulations in Scotland don't require a homeowner to make any "consequential improvements"^[20]. We are proposing that a consequential improvement requirement could be brought in, to require homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their home when undertaking a major renovation.

A likely definition of 'major renovation' could be based on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)^[21]. The Directive has been revised to build a forward-looking climate change policy. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is, together with the Energy Efficiency Directive, the main legislative instrument to promote the energy performance of buildings and to boost renovation within the EU.

Major renovation is cited in the EPBD definition(s) – Article 2: 'major renovation' means the renovation of a building where:

(a) the total cost of the renovation relating to the building envelope or the technical building systems is higher than 25 % of the value of the building, excluding the value of the land upon which the building is situated; or

(b) more than 25% of the surface of the building envelope undergoes renovation;

In 2012, we consulted^[22] on options for the appropriate definition of major renovation, and 'cost', outlined in Article 2(a) of the EPBD was the preferred options from stakeholders.

The definition of major renovation will help outline when the trigger point is activated. It is highly likely a building warrant will be required in those circumstances, though a homeowner should always check.

We are keen to hear views on the EPBD definition of major renovation to be used as the definition of the trigger point. We also want to hear of any other potential views on appropriate definitions of major renovation.