Landlords: fix your retrofit plan in 30 minutes

Jan 11
3 min read

Updated: Jan 28

A simple triage to decide what to do first

If you manage a mixed portfolio and feel stuck on where to start, this quick triage will get you from noise to a practical plan in half an hour.

It will not replace a full PAS 2035 process, but it will help you pick early actions, avoid common mistakes, and line up the right homes for deeper work.

Step 1: get the basics in one place

Open a fresh spreadsheet and create one row per property. Add these columns:

EPC band and score, construction age, build type
Heating system and emitters, window type, known insulation levels
Damp or mould notes, resident complaints, recent call outs
Any planned works already booked, such as re roofing, windows or kitchens
Photos. One front, one back, one loft, one plant cupboard if possible

This gives you a fast picture of where you are and what is already in motion.

Step 2: group your stock

Sort the list into four buckets:

Easy wins
Homes that can lift performance quickly with low cost measures and no moisture risk.
Needs a fuller package
Properties that clearly need fabric first improvements and a design led approach. These projects typically require more detailed information, such as structural surveys.
High risk for damp or mould
Any home with recurring issues or poor ventilation. These need root cause diagnosis before insulation, and may also require more detailed structural information.
Leave for later
Homes that already perform well or are due for major works next year. Note them and move on.

Step 3: act on the easy wins

Low cost, high impact steps you can plan now:

Loft top up to recommended depths if insulation is thin or patchy
Draught proofing to doors, letterboxes and obvious gaps
Simple controls such as TRVs, programmable stats and minor emitter balancing
Basic ventilation fixes such as unblocked trickle vents and working extract fans
Repair items that stop heat loss and water ingress, such as slipped tiles or perished seals

These steps are fast, affordable and reduce resident complaints. They also prepare homes for deeper works later.

Step 4: plan deeper works the right way

For the “fuller package” group, use a fabric first approach:

Wall insulation designed with moisture safety in mind and details for eaves, cills and canopies
New windows and doors positioned and taped so future EWI can wrap without cold bridges
Airtightness strategy that is realistic for the property type and programme
Ventilation sized and commissioned so airflow is proven on completion

Sequence matters. Assess, design, install, then verify.

Step 5: keep homes dry while you upgrade

Moisture management is non negotiable:

Check moisture risk before adding insulation
Provide background ventilation and effective extract in wet rooms
Commission systems and record flow rates at handover
Fix causes rather than painting over symptoms

This is how you lift EPC outcomes without creating condensation or mould.

Step 6: match homes to funding and move

Align each bucket to likely funding routes and evidence needs:

ECO4, GBIS and BUS where applicable
Create a simple evidence pack from day one. Before photos, key install photos, commissioning sheets, and a short resident note
Start with the easy wins list to build momentum, then schedule surveys and design for the deeper group

A 30 minute checklist

Do you have a single view of EPC, fabric, heating and issues for every home
Is your stock sorted into easy wins, deeper works, high risk and later
Are quick measures scheduled with basic QA and photos
For deeper work, is there a clear plan for assessment, design, ventilation and airtightness
Are you matching the right homes to the right schemes

Download our checklist below:

How Target Green can help

We run fast portfolio triage sessions for landlords and housing providers across the UK. If you are planning works this year, get in touch and we will help you start in the right place.