Retrofit planning and regulation
If you are retrofitting properties, there are several planning and regulatory considerations to keep in mind.
Planning permission
Most buildings can undergo retrofitting without planning permission due to permitted development rights. Use our Planning Portal to check if you need planning permission for common retrofit options.
If you live in a Conservation Area or a listed building, you may need to obtain planning permission before undertaking any retrofit works.
Get free advice from a duty planner by emailing planning@wandsworth.gov.uk or request pre-application advice.
Protected or listed buildings
Thoughtful retrofitting of listed buildings or those in conservation areas can make them more energy efficient and adaptive to climate change, while preserving Wandsworth's heritage.
Sensitively retrofitting historic buildings helps reduce carbon emissions, reliance on fossil fuels, and energy costs.
Find out if you live in a Conversation Area.
Advice
Advice on retrofitting listed buildings or those in conservation areas can be found on the Historic England website, including the "Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Historic Buildings" guidance and Advice Note 18.
Residents and businesses in Wandsworth can also get free pre-application policy advice from the Wandsworth Planning team by emailing planning@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Please note this is not legal or planning advice.
Legislation and reforms
The UK government has introduced legislation and proposed reforms to improve energy performance and support retrofitting in buildings.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard
Private rental properties are currently required to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of E or above.
The government has proposed the following timelines for improving energy performance certificate ratings:
- All privately rented properties will need an EPC rating of C or above by 31 December 2028
- All new tenancies will need an EPC rating of C by as early as 31 December 2025
Landlords will be exempt from this requirement if the costs to meet an EPC rating of C exceed £10,000. Landlords whose rentals do not meet EPC rating of C or above can face penalties of up to £30,000.
Read updates on the Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill.
Gas boiler ban
The government has proposed the following bans on gas boilers for residential properties:
- New build homes: From 2025, gas boilers will be banned in new build homes. These homes will need low-carbon heating systems, like heat pumps, as part of the "Future Homes Standard" legislation.
- Existing homes: There are suggestions to ban replacing gas boilers in existing homes. This will mean that if your gas boiler breaks, you may not be able to replace it with another gas boiler