Private rented housing energy efficiency: consultation assessment (part one)

2. Consultation

2.1 Scottish Government and government agencies

The following Scottish Government and government agencies were consulted in the development of the proposals:

• Historic Scotland (now Historic Environment Scotland) - Discussions on how minimum standards of energy efficiency might affect traditional buildings.
• Building Standards Division - Input to modelling and technical discussions. Discussions on EPCs and registers. Comparisons with non-domestic regulations.
• Legal services - Discussions and advice on legislation, scope of the legislative powers.
• Registers of Scotland - Landlord registers and access for local authorities to these.
• Civil Law and Legal System Division - Discussions on the role of tribunals
• Better Homes Division - Discussions with the Housing Services Policy Unit on the implementation of the proposals for regulations and policy supporting the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.

2.2 Business/stakeholders

Consultation with stakeholders was primarily through the Regulation of Energy Efficiency in Private Sector Housing ( REEPS) working group over a period of two years to develop the policy. ^[27] The group had representatives from environmental groups, landlord organisations, local authorities, the fuel poverty sector, consumer organisations and Scottish Government.

We also met with:

• Local authorities to discuss options for regulation and their potential role in monitoring and enforcing minimum energy efficiency standards.
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ( RICS) to discuss the impact of minimum standards on both assessors and letting agents.
• Energy Savings Trust ( EST) to discuss the Energy Performance Certificate Register.
• Scottish Land and Estates ( SLE) to discuss the possible impacts of regulation on rural landlords and tenants.

We will consult further with businesses during the consultation phase.

2.3 Public Consultation

During the consultation period we will hold events to raise awareness of the consultation and to explore specific issues in more detail. We expect a wide range of audiences at these events, including local authorities, landlords, tenants and businesses such as installers and assessors, to explore particular issues in more detail.