Most of the practical work is about people. Tenants need notice of the installation days, access to rooms where radiators change and a simple explanation of how to use the controls. We plan the installation in stages where possible, keep the time without heating and hot water as short as practical, and provide handover notes written for tenants.
Flats in the Scottish Borders and across the Scottish Borders need freeholder consent checked early, before the outdoor unit position is fixed. Landlords with let homes in the Scottish Borders can have each property surveyed and quoted separately or as a group. Landlords in the Scottish Borders can arrange annual servicing around tenancy changes and inspection visits.
Who it suits
- Properties between tenancies, when access and disruption are easier to manage
- HMOs with high hot water demand that need careful cylinder sizing
- Landlords who want to remove gas appliances from a property
- Portfolio landlords planning upgrades across several properties
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
In Scotland, heat pump funding comes through Home Energy Scotland rather than the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: a grant of up to £7,500 (up to £1,500 extra for eligible rural and island homes) and an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. For a home in the Scottish Borders, apply and receive the written offer before the installation date is fixed.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Scotland has its own permitted development rules for air source heat pumps and its own building standards, so we confirm what applies to your property at survey.
Heat pumps for landlords prices in the Scottish Borders
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in the Scottish Borders, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in the Scottish Borders can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Home | Typical size | Installed guide price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bedroom flat or small terrace | 4–5 kW | £9,700–£12,750 |
| 2–3 bedroom terrace or semi | 5–7 kW | £10,700–£13,750 |
| 3 bedroom semi or small detached | 6–9 kW | £12,250–£15,800 |
| 4 bedroom detached | 8–12 kW | £14,300–£18,350 |
| 5+ bedroom or larger older house | 11–16 kW | £16,850–£22,950 |
Installed, inc VAT: unit, cylinder, controls, minor pipework and commissioning. In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland grants of up to £7,500 and interest-free loans may reduce the cost.
Towns we cover in the Scottish Borders
We cover 8 towns in the Scottish Borders for landlords and let properties. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duns | TD11 | Eyemouth | 7 h 00 min |
| Eyemouth | TD14 | Duns | 6 h 58 min |
| Galashiels | TD1 | Selkirk | 7 h 02 min |
| Hawick | TD9 | Selkirk | 7 h 04 min |
| Jedburgh | TD8 | Kelso | 7 h 04 min |
| Kelso | TD5 | Jedburgh | 7 h 02 min |
| Peebles | EH45 | Penicuik | 7 h 01 min |
| Selkirk | TD7 | Galashiels | 7 h 03 min |
Landlords and let properties questions
Do tenants need training to use a heat pump?
Not training, but a clear explanation helps. Heat pumps are designed to run steadily, with radiators feeling warm rather than hot, so tenants used to boilers may be tempted to switch them off. We provide a handover sheet written for tenants covering the controls, hot water times, what to do if an error appears and why the unit should stay on.
Can a heat pump go on a block of flats or an HMO?
Often, yes, but it needs more planning. In flats, the outdoor unit position and pipe routes usually need freeholder or management company consent, and some positions need planning permission depending on the nation, which we check at survey. In HMOs, hot water demand is higher, so cylinder sizing is critical. Larger buildings may suit a commercial design instead.
Can I install a heat pump while tenants are living in the property?
Yes. Most installations typically take 2–4 days on site, with heating and hot water off for part of that time. We agree dates and access with you, provide written details to pass to tenants, and plan the changeover to keep downtime short. Preparing the outdoor unit and cylinder first shortens the period without heating.