Chapter and Verse on which “dwellings” need an EPC and exclusions
As from 4 January 2009 in Scotland where a dwelling is being let, a Scottish Energy Performance Certificate (Scottish EPC) will be required. An EPC is required whenever a dwelling is being rented out. “Dwelling” is a residential property which is self contained. For these purposes a dwelling is self-contained if it does not share essential facilities with another unit such as bathroom/shower room, toilet or kitchen. It has to have its own entrance either direct from the outside or from the common parts (such as hall stairs or landings). It is not self-contained if access is via another unit. For more information about this see the section below A registered assessor must prepare an EPC. So for example an EPC is required as follows: -

• Individual house/dwelling (i.e. a self contained property with its own kitchen/bathroom facilities) – one EPC for the dwelling.
• Self contained flats (i.e. each behind its own front door with is own kitchen/bathroom facilities) – one EPC per flat.
• Bedsits (where there is a shared kitchen and/or bathroom) – no EPC is required.
• Shared flats/houses (e.g. a letting of a whole flat or house to students/young professionals etc) - one EPC for the whole house.
• Mixed self contained and non self-contained accommodation – one EPC for each self contained flat/unit but no EPC for the remainder of the property.
• A room in a hall of residence or hostel - no EPC is required.
• Individual room in a flat or house (e.g. where a tenant rents a room so he/she has exclusive use of his/her bedroom and shared use of the kitchen toilet and bathroom) – no EPC is required.

WARNING – This is the interpretation put on matters by Government lawyers. It may change. It could be open to challenge.