Residential retrofit standard

Creating low-carbon, energy-efficient homes is essential to meeting our net-zero obligation. It is essential that works to any home are professionally managed to minimise risk to the home and to the health of the occupiers. Lenders, government and consumers are increasingly turning to professional, impartial and holistic advice for retrofitting.

An estimated 25 million homes require a form of energy improvement and professional advice. This standard will be essential to supporting this work and helping to address one of the biggest challenges facing the built environment while creating new opportunities for RICS surveyors.

To ensure that the most cost-effective and efficient measures are installed and reduce unintended consequences, a physical survey is essential. Simply relying on a virtual retrofit assessment can risk incorrect or inefficient measures being installed, which can risk performance, energy costs and increase damp and mould.

The RICS retrofit standard is a framework within which RICS members can provide professional advice. Importantly, RICS members in their roles as a surveyors can deliver bespoke services to clients to suit their needs . If clients just require a survey and report, they can have that. If they require a more in-depth service, that is fine too. The RICS retrofit standard must also be delivered by a suitably qualified, competent, individual and can take a holistic and impartial approach towards the assessment.

RICS members with expertise in surveying residential properties understand construction types and associated defects. It is critical that defects are identified and resolved prior to the installation of energy efficiency measures to avoid the property deteriorating further or negating the benefit of retrofit. In many cases, defects or incorrectly specified measures will create damp, mould and other negative impacts on a home. In extreme circumstances, badly advised retrofit assessments can impact value and even reduce the EPC rating.

There is a need for a standard that provides guidance and mandatory requirements when delivering retrofit-related services that RICS members can be regulated against.

For RICS members, the RICS residential retrofit standard is wider reaching than PAS 2035. This standard is a framework that provides guidance on conduct and professionalism as well as an overview of the roles that RICS members may be involved in when providing retrofit services and what needs to be considered at each stage of the service. This standard 

A 5-part webinar series is offered periodically.

The RICS is an organisation formed under a royal charter to act in the best interest of the public. This means that RICS surveyors are regulated i.e have to follow the professional guidance and standards set by the RICS. It should be noted that not all surveyors are RICS members and may not offer the same level of knowledge and professionalism. Some property types may require a higher degree of understanding which is where RICS can add value.

You should discuss the scope of the of your requirements with your RICS surveyor before you appoint them. It is unlikely that an RICS surveyor will carry out the retrofit works but can act in service roles to suitably advise you to ensure the measures are appropriate and properly completed.