As the UK advances toward its 2050 net zero goal, mortgage lenders are increasingly recognising their role not only in enabling property purchases but also in supporting sustainable homeownership. Retrofitting, the upgrading of existing homes to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, is central to this mission. Yet for many homebuyers, particularly those purchasing older properties, retrofit remains a confusing and often daunting prospect.
Skipton Building Society’s “Big Retrofit” project is a timely case study in making retrofit practical, measurable, and actionable. The Society transformed a typical 1930s detached house into a highly energy-efficient home, raising its EPC rating from a ‘D’ to a ‘B’ through improvements like solar panels, battery storage, insulation, and air source heating. By acting as both retrofit assessors and advisors, we were on hand to help translate theory into practice, highlighting just how vital the surveyor-lender relationship is in delivering retrofit ambitions.
At the heart of any successful retrofit journey is an accurate understanding of a property’s current condition. This is where the role of a qualified surveyor becomes pivotal. Retrofitting isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. As the Big Retrofit revealed, it often requires a sequenced plan that considers the unique makeup of each home. Surveyors, equipped with both technical knowledge and local insight, are ideally positioned to guide this planning process by identifying what’s achievable immediately, what can be tackled over time, and how to prioritise improvements for maximum impact.
For lenders, supporting retrofit doesn’t always mean reinventing product suites. It means working closely with surveyors to embed energy performance into the valuation process and using tools like enhanced EPCs or condition-led reports to guide borrowers. As a business, we are seeing rising demand for such insights and this is why we continue to carefully evaluate our proposition to meet the shifting needs not only from lenders but also from consumers who are placing greater emphasis on energy efficiency, peace of mind and future planning.
With climate risks and energy performance now beginning to impact demand and arguably property values, lenders need a clear view not just of a property’s current market status, but its future viability. By integrating data-led tools and surveyor insight, lenders can begin to view retrofit not as a risk, but as an opportunity to safeguard loan security while supporting better borrower outcomes.
Crucially, projects like the Big Retrofit show that success lies in demystifying the process. Skipton’s collaboration with Leeds Beckett University offered measurable before-and-after data, while partnerships with organisations like Vibrant Energy Matters provided accessible entry points for customers to assess their own homes. This blend of education, evaluation and enablement is exactly what’s needed to build confidence across the market.
As more lenders look to introduce green lending propositions, early collaboration with surveyors will be essential. By understanding a property's true retrofit needs before purchase, advisers can also play a key role by providing their clients with realistic expectations. By working together, lenders, surveyors and advisers can offer meaningful support - whether through additional borrowing options, data-backed assessments, or expert guidance during home renovations.
After all, in this new landscape, the mortgage isn’t just a financial product. It can also prove to be a crucial launchpad for sustainable living.
