RICS to Gather Input on Residential Retrofit Standard

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21 July 2023

RICS has launched an eight-week-long consultation to gather opinions from industry professionals on the new RICS Residential Retrofit Standard for 2023.

The data gathered will be used to create a framework so RICS members can advise their customers on retrofit options in their homes.

A RICS survey showed that 36 per cent of homeowners would not know how to go about making their homes more environmentally friendly. 78 per cent of respondents also stated that they would find it helpful if their surveyor could offer retrofitting advice when purchasing a property.

Decarbonising the Property Sector Through Retrofitting

To meet the UK’s net-zero by 2050 targets, the vast majority of the UK’s 27 million homes will need to become virtually zero-carbon. The government hopes to achieve this by moving to low-carbon heating and the National Retrofit Strategy (NRS). This a policy proposal to make existing homes more energy efficient through measures such as insulation, double glazing and heating technology such as ground source heat pumps.

Results from the most recent RICS Residential Market Survey provides evidence that energy-efficient homes can be more desirable and can help to retain a property’s value. Other benefits to retrofitting a home include lower energy consumption and creating a more comfortable environment to live in.

Antony Parkinson, RICS Senior Property Specialist, said: “UK homes are not as energy efficient as they could or should be. This needs to change and we have to act now. Improving the energy efficiency needs to be incorporated into the ongoing maintenance of our homes. Efficient homes use less energy which will save money and help save the planet.

"We are developing the new RICS retrofit standard at pace so that RICS members can help customers improve the energy efficiency of their homes We all have a role to play and by working together we can make a difference”.

The RICS Retrofit Consultation Survey is open until 12th September 2023.

Picture: a photograph of a semi-detached residential property with parking spaces in front of it. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 21 July 2023

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