RICS unveils essential retrofit guide to help landlords enhance energy efficiency

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a comprehensive new guide aimed at helping landlords and homeowners make their properties more energy-efficient. This free resource provides detailed advice on retrofitting — a process that has gained significant traction as the UK works towards its ambitious net-zero target.

The timing of this guide couldn’t be better. As energy costs continue to rise, landlords are increasingly seeking ways to make their properties more efficient, attract quality tenants, and comply with evolving government standards.

Helping landlords stay ahead in a changing market
The RICS guide covers critical areas of energy efficiency, including heating systems, appliances, ventilation, insulation, and conducting professional energy audits (EPCs). By addressing these aspects, landlords can make targeted improvements that boost property value, reduce maintenance costs, and appeal to environmentally conscious tenants.

According to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK needs to ramp up its retrofitting efforts to meet the government’s net-zero target. This means increasing retrofit rates to 500,000 homes per year from 2025, and doubling that to one million per year by 2030. Landlords who take early action will likely benefit the most as regulations tighten.

The guide was developed by the RICS Residential Professional Property Group Panel (RPPGP), comprising a diverse range of experts from the built environment sector. Key contributions were also made by Professor Richard Fitton of the University of Salford, enhancing the guide’s credibility and relevance.

Emma Fletcher MRICS, Chair of the RICS RPPGP, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating: “As Chair of the RICS RPPGP, I am delighted to support RICS in producing this consumer guide, to assist everyone who owns or occupies a home. This guide was prepared by surveying professionals who, whilst having a deep understanding of the technology and data, have managed to translate their learning into simple measures on how to occupy our homes more efficiently.”

Landlords stand to benefit from retrofitting guidance
The launch of this guide follows RICS’s introduction of its first residential retrofit standard in March 2024. That standard laid down clear rules for professionals undertaking retrofit projects. This latest guide, however, caters to the consumer side of the market, providing practical advice and signposting relevant funding opportunities.

Fletcher continued: “The need for retrofit is evolving quickly and this guide is one to bookmark as this sector continues to mature. It’s designed to be accessible, straightforward, and informative — exactly what landlords and homeowners need to navigate the complexities of energy efficiency improvements.”

For landlords, this guidance is more than just helpful information. It’s a roadmap for enhancing the energy performance of their properties, improving tenant satisfaction, and ultimately increasing rental yields. Additionally, by making properties more efficient, landlords can future-proof their investments against stricter energy regulations expected to come into play over the coming years.

Preparing for the future
Retrofitting has moved from a niche concern to a mainstream priority, particularly for those in the buy-to-let sector. By following the RICS guide, landlords can reduce running costs, improve EPC ratings, and boost the appeal of their properties.

Moreover, making these changes now could provide a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market. The UK government’s push towards net-zero means that compliance requirements will only become more stringent over time. Savvy landlords who take proactive steps will be better positioned to adapt and thrive.

The RICS guide also offers valuable insights into potential funding opportunities and advice on how to make properties suitable for energy audits. For landlords seeking to stay ahead of the curve, this resource is a must-read.

The post RICS unveils essential retrofit guide to help landlords enhance energy efficiency appeared first on Residential Landlord.