Retrofit leaders meet at RICS HQ to discuss the importance of transformative projects

At the start of this year, RICS members and stakeholders from across industry, academia and government met at RICS HQ for the Quality in Retrofit Summit, held in partnership with the Retrofit Academy.

Taking place a day before the launch of the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, the event discussed the continued value of retrofitting UK housing stock at scale, but with a steadfast commitment to quality through competency, transparency and accountability.

Summit attendees supported RICS’ work to embed professionalism at the heart of retrofit, which is a key objective for RICS. This starts with ensuring that key professional roles are undertaken by competent and properly regulated professionals – reflected in the recent announcement of the RICS Residential Retrofit Surveying AssocRICS pilot pathway .

The importance of residential retrofit

In his opening speech, RICS President Nick Maclean OBE RD FRICS outlined both the opportunities and challenges presented by retrofit projects: “Done well, retrofit at scale can stimulate innovation and employment, cut emissions, reduce fuel poverty and ensure the longevity of our housing stock. But doing it well requires a relentless focus on standards, skills and professionalism.”

While decarbonisation is important – with UK homes currently responsible for around 16% of national carbon emissions – our Sustainability Report 2025 found that energy efficiency, air quality and comfort are also important   with 94% of occupier respondents valuing indoor environmental quality and 88% rating valuing energy efficiency as a priority.

Beyond reducing carbon emissions, successful retrofit projects can significantly improve residents’ quality of life and improve their perception of their environment. As President Maclean summarised: “A warm, comfortable and energy‑efficient home is a healthier, more affordable and resilient home.”

Governmental support for retrofit

The recent launch of the Warm Homes Plan reiterates the Government’s support for retrofit initiatives. The Plan is a major UK‑wide strategy aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing household bills and accelerating decarbonisation across the housing sector.

Across its three pillars – targeted support for low-income households, a universal offer to households able to invest, and stronger protections for renters – the initiative provides new opportunities for surveyors. For example, fully funded whole‑house upgrades for low‑income households will involve whole‑house assessments, stock condition surveys and neighbourhood‑level retrofit planning programmes, alongside quality assurance activities. Similarly, surveyors will play a role in supporting compliance with Awaab’s Law,  by managing risks around damp and mould, carrying out condition surveys, and enforcing minimum standards compliance.

Responding to the announcement, President Maclean said: “This holistic approach recognises the need for coordinated, whole-house solutions to cut emissions, lower bills and improve comfort.

“Ambition at scale depends on quality and competence. RICS is already delivering professional standards, assurance and skills to support this effort, including the new residential retrofit pilot pathway to membership. We are ready to work with the Government to seize this opportunity to upgrade homes across the country."

Expert insight at the Quality in Retrofit Summit

While the Summit took place before the publication of the Warm Homes Plan, discussions were already framed by these emerging expectations.

A shared vision was identified as the foundation for the day’s discussions: all retrofit projects should deliver safe, high‑quality outcomes for all stakeholders – from funders to residents.

Across the sessions, panellists explored how this vision could be achieved, focusing on three core pillars:

• An economic system that supports viable, quality‑driven investment, including better engagement with lenders and other financial stakeholders to ensure that funding models continue to balance cost and quality.
• Developing competency, accountability and professionalism in retrofit, including what an effective professional ecosystem should look like and the need for more comprehensive training and regulation.
• A simpler, more transparent standards framework that underpins better risk management and confident funding.

RICS’ role in tackling retrofit demands

RICS’ purpose is to underpin market and consumer confidence, and this responsibility is especially important within the retrofit sector. To support the UK’s retrofit journey, we have developed standards and regulations that set the benchmark for professional excellence.

The Residential Retrofit Standard promotes best practices, aligns with pre-existing national frameworks and places the consumer as the centre of delivery. In Scotland, a joint-industry report, Meeting Scotland’s Retrofit Challenge was released which identified key policies for the Scottish Government to adopt. In Northern Ireland, we are working with colleagues from the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to encourage the development of a residential retrofit services market that supports net‑zero objectives.

To strengthen professional capability and expand the cohort of trusted skilled practitioners, we have also launched the pilot Residential Retrofit AssocRICS pathway.

Developed in consultation with the Retrofit Academy and industry partners, this pathway is a dedicated entry route for retrofit professionals, focussed on mainstream retrofit work who can meet RICS’ standards of competence and ethics. In addition to the core competencies, the pathway includes training in retrofit testing, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment and building pathology. It is envisaged that this population of Associate members will ensure RICS standards in mainstream retrofit roles and build a future skills pipeline, working towards chartered status.

The initial pilot cohort is full, however we still encourage interested candidates and employers to register their interest to keep up to date on the programme’s latest developments.

As the retrofit sector continues to grow and initiatives gain greater industry and government support, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the personal side of the sector. This work often makes a significant difference to occupiers’ quality of life, and projects are only as successful as the professionals delivering them. Through the work of RICS, the Retrofit Academy and our other partners, we have the potential to shape the next generation of retrofit and enact positive change in the built environment.

If you would be interested in being part of this positive change, please register for the Residential Retrofit AssocRICS pathway, promote it to your network or get in touch with one of our Future Hub team who can help answer any queries.