Propertymark has called on the Scottish Government to provide businesses with more certainty following their decision to drop the Heat in Buildings Bill for the second time this year.
This policy has been delayed until the outcome of next year’s elections for the Scottish Parliament has been decided.
In September 2023, when the Programme for Government was announced, the then Zero Carbon Buildings Minister, Patrick Harvie, MSP, said that if the Bill is approved by the Scottish Government, then regulations would begin in 2028.
Many of the Bill’s provisions include a 2028 deadline for private rented homes to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard, for owner-occupied properties to hit the same minimum energy efficiency standard by the end of 2033, and that polluting heating in every home and non-domestic building must end by 2045.
Propertymark’s Concerns and Consultation Feedback
Propertymark issued a thorough reply to the consultation on the Bill in March 2024. Although the property professional body supports the outcome of achieving net-zero emissions, many concerns were also raised such as the overwhelming costs for property owners and landlords without grants and other financial incentives, the overly ambitious timeline for implementing energy efficiency standards, and the distinct challenges for rural and island communities without tailored solutions.
The Bill was scrapped earlier in 2025 because of worries that the legislation would cause fuel poverty to surge.
Thanks to feedback from Propertymark and other stakeholders, Acting Net Zero and Energy Minister Gillian Martin, MSP, recognised that many of the provisions could have substantial financial consequences for homeowners and businesses.
Martin stated that a revised Bill would be introduced in 2025, which includes a goal for decarbonising heating systems by 2045, measures to boost heat network development to serve big, non-domestic properties, and powers to issue minimum energy efficiency standards for owner-occupier and non-domestic homes.
Because the Bill has been dropped before the 2026 election for the Scottish Parliament, Propertymark warned that the 2028 deadline could be subject to the outcome of the vote, which could provide businesses with more uncertainty and make it difficult for them to meet the 2028 target without clarity along the way.
Propertymark supports the drive to slash carbon emissions from buildings and homes, but the Scottish Government’s choice to drop the Heat in Buildings Bill a second time does not provide building owners, businesses, homeowners, and landlords with that certainty as to what the final deadline should be for them to meet the minimum energy efficiency standards set by the Scottish Government, especially in the context of an upcoming election where the outcome has not yet been decided. Both current and future Scottish governments will struggle to meet their net zero targets without answers to certain questions like how much landlords and homeowners will need to invest in their properties, or how much financial assistance they will need.
