Accurate and up-to-date stock condition data is crucial for planning and executing a successful retrofit programme. Therefore, ensuring you have reliable stock data should be a top priority as you embark on your retrofit journey. This blog will provide a clear and concise overview of both Stock Condition Surveys and Retrofit Assessments, providing you with the confidence that you have all the necessary data to begin your retrofit project.
A Stock Condition Survey is an essential tool for assessing the overall condition of a property. This survey gathers detailed information to help landlords or property owners identify necessary repairs, address health and safety concerns, and determine whether the property is fit for purpose. The data collected also ensures that property information remains up to date, informs the programmes of work needed, and provides the costs of remedial works.
This visual survey typically evaluates the key components of a property, including kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, roofs, heating systems, and insulation (walls, lofts, or both). Depending on the situation, additional elements such as external areas, fencing, paving, boundary walls, and communal spaces may also be inspected. The survey can be customised to meet specific requirements or property types, ensuring all relevant areas are considered.
During the survey, the surveyor will evaluate each component's age and condition, estimating when it was likely installed and predicting when it may need renewing based on its expected lifecycle. Quantities of key elements, from square metres of roof finish and linear metres of fencing to the number of windows and the number of smoke detectors, are also measured. These measurements align with an associated schedule of rates to calculate the total cost of repairs across the property.
Additionally, an energy assessment, such as a fully lodged Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or minor methods of energy data collection, for example, a minimum data set, are included in in your Stock Condition Survey.
The survey also records data related to potential hazards in line with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). An HHSRS Survey can be conducted as an additional service to the Stock Condition Survey to grade the hazards in the property, identifying and alerting any category 1 hazards to the client.
For more information on HHSRS Surveys, including their importance and regulatory requirements, download your FREE Guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
If you need support gathering and understanding the condition of your properties, get in touch to have a chat with one of our experts and arrange your bespoke Stock Condition Survey now.
Increasing energy efficiency in all properties below EPC band C is a key step in meeting net-zero targets. To improve your buildings' energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty, it's essential to begin your retrofit journey now, aiming to reach EPC band C by 2030.
A Retrofit Assessment is required to ensure compliance with PAS2035 when undertaking a retrofit project. This identifies the improvements necessary to make the property more energy efficient and reduce emissions. A Retrofit Assessment includes:
Energy Performance Report (EPR): This evaluates and measures the building’s energy efficiency, providing insights into how your building uses energy and generating a report to show how efficient the property is.
Condition Assessment: This is like a Stock Condition Survey but focuses on verifying existing data and information that the client may already be aware of.
Occupancy Assessment: This considers factors such as the number of occupants, typically shower usage, and overall power consumption.
Typical components of a Retrofit Assessment include identifying and recording issues like damp and mould, assessing heating and ventilation, insulation value, and the number of rooms in the property.
The goal of a Retrofit Assessment is to lodge data with TrustMark before the retrofit design process, ensuring compliance with regulations before starting your retrofit project.
Stock Condition Survey vs Retrofit Assessment
| Stock Condition Survey | Retrofit Assessment |
| Includes some form of energy assessment, for example, an EPC Survey or a minimum data set. It's important to ensure that any third party conducting a Stock Condition Survey considers the building’s energy efficiency. Not all Stock Condition Surveys include a full RdSAP assessment, so it's crucial your survey is comprehensive. | Ensures you have the correct data and in-depth understanding of your property to proceed with your retrofit project. |
| A Stock Condition Survey alone is not sufficient for complying with PAS 2035 when undertaking a retrofit project. | A Retrofit Assessment can become outdated quicker than a Stock Condition Survey due to potential changes in a building’s components, meaning another assessment may be needed sooner. |
| Essential for compliance with the Decent Homes Standard and Safety and Quality Standard. | Retrofit Assessment data can be used for other things, providing it is collected in a way that can be integrated with your existing asset management system. |
| An HHSRS Survey is required in addition to a Stock Condition Survey to understand the hazards in your buildings. | Does not include the condition of components outside the building envelope, ventilation, or areas like kitchens or bathrooms. |
To collect all the necessary data for your retrofit journey and to comply with stock condition requirements, it's recommended to conduct a Retrofit Assessment in addition to a Stock Condition Survey. Get in touch our experts to discuss your data needs and begin your retrofit journey with confidence.
Discover how we assisted East Suffolk Council with Stock Condition Surveys and Retrofit Assessments, head over to our case study here.