Landlords may want to note that the Scottish Government has extended the areas in which the Universal Home Insulation Scheme UHIS will apply and Edinburgh is now included.  Properties which are rented are also now included.

UHIS provides energy efficiency measures to a large number of Scottish households while delivering emission savings and helping to reduce fuel poverty. It can offer you free loft and cavity wall insulation, depending on where you live.

The second phase of the scheme is currently available and will allow free energy efficiency measures to be offered to around 200,000 households. In addition to loft and cavity wall insulation, some of the schemes provide support for harder to treat properties.

If you are considering improving the energy efficiency of the property you let, then this is worth considering as it can improve the EPC score of the property and ensure it is easy to let, thus reducing your void.

You could save from £30 a year with simple draught-proofing to more than £175 with loft insulation. If your home is older or has cavity walls, you may be able to save even more.

If you live in a Universal Home Insulation (UHIS) area in Scotland you could benefit from an interest free loan of up to £10,000.  To find out if you live in a UHIS area please contact your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/his