A Guide to smart retrofit for Landlords: How to Cut Bills, Lift EPC Ratings and Reduce Damp

jake75135
4 days ago
3 min read

At Target Green, we help landlords and housing providers reduce running costs, improve EPC ratings and protect residents’ health through practical, buildable retrofit design. We are based in Leeds and deliver projects across the UK, from single blocks to estate-wide programmes.

This guide explains where to focus first, how to plan works across a portfolio, and why a whole house approach prevents damp and mould while lifting performance.

Who this is for

Private and institutional landlords with multi-property portfolios
Housing associations and ALMOs
Local authorities delivering SHDF, ORP or similar programmes

Retrofit that works at portfolio scale

Energy efficient retrofit is more than a list of measures. It is a joined up plan that reduces heat loss, balances ventilation, and makes heating systems run efficiently across diverse archetypes.

Typical measures we design and coordinate

Loft, wall and floor insulation with moisture-safe build ups
External Wall Insulation for solid or mixed constructions
High performance windows and doors with competent installation
Balanced ventilation to meet Part F and reduce condensation risk
Targeted airtightness improvements paired with ventilation
Low carbon heating where suitable, including heat pumps
Solar PV where it supports the business case

See our case studies for real-world examples:

The Retreat, Monmouth – fabric first upgrades across a terrace of bungalows
NCH, Newport – estate-wide EWI and ventilation coordination
St Mary’s Place, Portskewett – system selection by archetype to manage exposure and moisture risk

The courtyard at St Mary's Place after project completion in May 2025.

Start with evidence, then sequence the works

For landlords and housing associations, the biggest gains come from doing the right work in the right order.

Retrofit assessment and stock triage:
Survey representative archetypes, review ventilation and moisture risks, and use modelling where helpful. Prioritise the blocks and streets that will deliver the most impact.
Set clear goals:
Lower bills, EPC uplift to C or better, reduced damp and mould risk, readiness for heat pumps, or compliance with Awaab’s Law and PAS 2035.
Medium-term improvement plan:
Phase works so you do not undo previous investments. Fix water ingress and ventilation first, then insulation and airtightness, then heating upgrades. Plan renewables once fabric demand is down.
Design for buildability and residents:
Issue clear details for junctions, eaves and canopies. Coordinate windows, services and fixtures through new insulation layers. Communicate early with residents to manage access and disruption.

Practical upgrades for landlords and housing providers

1) Insulation that is moisture safe

Lofts. Top up insulation and keep eaves ventilation clear.
Walls. For cavity walls, inspect and remediate before refill. For solid walls, choose EWI or internal systems with the right vapour control.
Floors. Insulate suspended floors and maintain underfloor ventilation.

2) Ventilation that actually moves air

Meet Part F, commission extract rates, and provide background air paths. Ventilation must rise with airtightness, or you will push condensation elsewhere.

3) Airtightness without creating problems

Seal unwanted leaks at penetrations and junctions, but always pair with a ventilation strategy. This reduces heat loss while keeping indoor air healthy.

4) Renewables where they add value

Solar PV can reduce electricity costs and support low temperature heating.

Funding and delivery

We can align designs with routes such as SHDF, ORP, ECO4 and GBIS where relevant, and provide the evidence you need for claims, KPIs and post-evaluation.

Why Target Green

We specialise in design-led, fabric-first retrofit for landlords and housing providers. Our team delivers assessment, design and coordination that is practical on site and easy to evidence.

Talk to us

Based in Leeds and working nationwide, we can help you plan and deliver a retrofit programme that lifts EPC ratings, lowers bills and reduces damp risk across your stock.