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What is retrofit?

Retrofit refers to the strategic improvement of existing buildings, so that they are better able to meet modern energy efficiency standards. It can involve installing a new low to zero-emissions heating system in a building or simply adding double glazing, with the common aim of decreasing energy consumption and reducing carbon emission outputs from homes. 

The Scottish Government has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero by 2045. Retrofitting existing buildings to reduce their emission contributions is one way to help reach these targets. Additionally, improving the energy efficiency of existing homes has the added benefit of making them more comfortable and more affordable to heat. 

There are a range of retrofit measures that can be carried out in existing buildings, including tenements. While changing the heating system in a tenement building may be challenging, especially for flats above the ground floor, taking a ‘fabric-first’ approach is more doable.  

A fabric-first approach means focusing on the fabric of the building and seeing what material changes can be made to improve its energy efficiency. This includes things like draught-proofing, double glazing, and internal and external insulation. To find out more about the fabric-first, energy efficiency improvements that you can make to your tenement flat and building, check out this article on our website. 

For advice and support with your heating bills and lowering your energy consumption, check out Home Energy Scotland.

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Recent articles
Recent articles

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The Repairing Standard and upcoming changes

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced a series of updates to the existing Repairing Standard that will be enforceable from 1st March 2024. The Repairing Standard covers the legal and contractual obligations of private landlords to ensure their property or properties meet the minimum physical standard of repair.

Top tips for winter-proofing your tenement building

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Latest updates

Response to Cladding Bill Consultation

The Scottish Government has published a consultation to their proposed Cladding Bill, which seeks to address a number of issues related owners manging the issue of cladding in certain buildings in Scotland.

For sale: the Tenement Handbook

Did you know that Under One Roof originated from The Tenement Handbook: A Practical Guide to Living in a Tenement? The book was published in 1993, written by our founders John Gilbert and Annie Flint, and provided everything someone living in a tenement flat would need to know about their building. This book became the Under One Roof website. 

What is retrofit?

Retrofit refers to the strategic improvement of existing buildings, so that they are better able to meet modern energy efficiency standards. It can involve installing a new low to zero-emissions heating system in a building or simply adding double glazing, with the common aim of decreasing energy consumption and reducing carbon emission outputs from homes. 

Response to Cladding Bill Consultation

The Scottish Government has published a consultation to their proposed Cladding Bill, which seeks to address a number of issues related owners manging the issue of cladding in certain buildings in Scotland.

For sale: the Tenement Handbook

Did you know that Under One Roof originated from The Tenement Handbook: A Practical Guide to Living in a Tenement? The book was published in 1993, written by our founders John Gilbert and Annie Flint, and provided everything someone living in a tenement flat would need to know about their building. This book became the Under One Roof website. 

Help and information

If you live in any kind of building containing flats, you have rights and responsibilities, along with your co-owners, to maintain and manage your building.
But, every building is different, so get professional help for anything more than a simple problem. 

Working with your neighbours will make sure you always deal with problems fairly and help maintain harmony in your building.

Repairs are inevitable and need to be tackled quickly before more damage is caused.

Follow these steps to ensure the repairs process goes smoothly and all owners pay their share.

Not satisfied with your flat? Check out what you can and can’t do to your flat to alter and improve it before deciding to sell and move on.