If you are an estate owner or landlord interested in retrofitting a period property with insulation and draught-proofing measures, we’re here to help.
Mitchell & Dickinson is a recognised and trusted authority that regularly advises landlords, estate owners, surveyors and architects specialising in listed and period retrofits. We understand Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and what landlords need to do to meet them.
We’ve worked for large and small estate owners and landlords alike, including the National Trust, Duchy of Cornwall, Crown Estates, Clovelly Estate, Exeter Cathedral, Hartland Abbey as well as private landlords with one or two rented properties including HMOs.
We are serious about education and standards and run conferences and talks including Retrofit Revolution, and we’re publishers of Retrofit News. We’re also founders of The Period and Listed Retrofit Academy, which advises and trains homeowners, and surveyors on retrofit best practices.
We can advise you on the best way to achieve minimum standards, whether you are looking for help for a one-off property, multiple properties or entire estates. Fees vary from project to project but are based on an hourly rate of £75 plus expenses.
Specialist services
Consultancy
Mitchell & Dickinson are pioneers in retrofitting thermal efficiency measures in period and listed properties. We take a holistic approach to energy efficiency and can advise on the most effective whole-building solutions.
Planning
We are experts in retrofitting period and listed buildings. We will work with local conservation officers and planning departments on your behalf to ensure a smooth planning process. Read more about listed building consent
Tenant communications
Mitchell & Dickinson can manage all aspects of communications with your tenants to ensure that they understand the benefits they will gain from the investment you are making in their home, as well as the installation process. We will manage appointments with tenants for surveys, installations, or funding inspections. We also collect feedback from tenants to establish the positive impact of the installed measures on their lifestyle, comfort levels, warmth, and of course, the all-important savings on heating costs.
Post-work inspections
When we have completed our installation we will accompany you to inspect the work and to assess any ongoing maintenance requirements to ensure thermal efficiency for windows, doors, lofts and sloping ceilings. We will also provide you with a certificate of installation.
EPC surveys
EPC surveys can be arranged on your behalf and we’ll help you interpret the results. We can then advise you on further measures to improve energy performance standards at your property.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) came into force in April 2018 and require rented properties to have a minimum EPC rating of E. This is expected to rise to C in 2030.
For many old properties, this means improving loft and sloping ceiling insulation, draught proofing, secondary glazing and sometimes heating systems, among other measures.
The UK has legally committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 2050 and this can only be achieved if Britain’s old housing stock is fully insulated.
Benefits to landlords of installing insulation and secondary glazing
- Enhanced warmth and comfort
- Increased asset value
- Fuel bills reduced by up to 50 per cent making it easier to pay rent
- Lifts many tenants out of fuel poverty
- Increased tenant health, wellbeing and happiness
- Longer tenancies and tenants willing to accept rent increases
- Property is easier to maintain and building fabrics preserved
- Avoid having to apply for exemptions every five years
- Enhances reputation and perception of landlord
