Scots scheme delivers just 215 home upgrades in three years

Just 215 private rented properties have secured energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades under a scheme set up by the Scottish Government three years ago.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats from the Scottish Government show that a total of 215 properties have received funding for retrofitting measures from its Private Rented Sector (PRS) Landlord Loan Scheme.

This equates to 0.06% of all eligible private rented homes north of the border, according to the Scottish Lib Dems.

In response to questions from Orkney Island’s Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, Scottish zero carbon buildings minister Patrick Harvie said 190 private rented households across Scotland had received funding for energy efficiency upgrades and 26 for renewables measures through the scheme.

According to the Lib Dem analysis, the data also shows that only one property in the whole of Scotland has received funding for both energy efficiency and renewable heating measures, in line with the ‘whole-home’ approach to building decarbonisation championed in the Scottish government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy.

The Scottish government’s PRS Landlord Loan scheme has been up and running since April 2020.

Scottish Liberal Democrat climate emergency spokesperson Liam McArthur urged the SNP/ Green government to heed to his party’s calls for a national insulation programme.

He said “This is supposed to be one of the Scottish Government’s flagship schemes to decarbonise and warm homes, yet it is having almost zero impact.

“The poor uptake and lack of a whole-home focus suggest the scheme was cobbled together without any serious understanding of how to deliver warmer, greener homes for people living in private rental properties.

“If Scottish Ministers are serious about making energy efficiency a national priority, they must ensure schemes provide the necessary incentive and that effort is put into promoting uptake. That is the only way to make meaningful progress in decarbonising homes and reducing fuel poverty.

“More broadly, Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue to call for a national emergency insulation programme for all home across the country, with a particular focus on those homes which are hardest to heat. This will accelerate progress towards creating properties which are both financially and environmentally sustainable.”

Private landlords can apply to the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland, which has been contacted for comment, for grants through the scheme.