In this episode of the Scottish Housing News podcast, hosts Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the complexities of retrofitting tenement buildings in Scotland with experts Josiah Lockhart, Mike Heffron, and Chris Carus.

They explore the unique challenges posed by the ownership structures of tenements, the barriers to decarbonisation, and the importance of community engagement.

The conversation highlights the need for innovative financial models, regulatory frameworks, and technical solutions to address the pressing issues of energy efficiency and climate resilience in Scotland's housing stock.

Josiah Lockhart is the chief executive of Changeworks, one of Scotland’s leading environmental charities driving low-carbon living and retrofit innovation. Mike Heffron is the chief executive of Under One Roof Scotland, the national information service for tenement owners tackling common repair and maintenance. Chris Carus is co-founder and executive officer of Loco Home Retrofit CIC, a social enterprise empowering communities to take climate action through home retrofit.

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-we-need-to-talk-about-tenement-retrofit-and-heat-networks

Related links

General info: underoneroof.scot

Guidance for owners on the installation of solar panels, heat pumps or insulation in common parts of tenements in Scotland: https://underoneroof.scot/local-energy-scotland-partners-with-harper-macleod-under-one-roof-and-loco-homes-on-new-retrofit-guidance/

Retrofit for factors toolkit: https://underoneroof.scot/new-toolkit-available-factoring-in-tenement-retrofit/

Whole Tenement Retrofit feasibility study Loco Homes and Under One Roof: https://underoneroof.scot/what-will-new-heat-in-buildings-bill-mean-for-homeowners-whole-tenement-retrofit-feasibility-study-finds-out/out/

Loco Home - New Report: Whole Tenement Retrofit Feasibility Study: https://locohome.coop/2024/10/our-new-report-whole-tenement-retrofit-case-study/

Living Rent report critical of Edinburgh's Lochend council flat retrofit project: https://www.livingrent.org/lochend_mtis_a_retrofit_case_study and https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/melissa-esquerre-a-personal-account-of-edinburghs-dystopian-mandatory-retrofit-scheme

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to tenements in Scotland

02:59 Challenges of retrofitting tenements

05:50 Community and ownership dynamics

09:01 Barriers to decarbonisation

11:54 Case studies and real-world examples

15:03 Legal and regulatory frameworks

17:48 Future directions and innovations

21:04 Community engagement and support

23:56 Financial models and investment

26:55 Technical solutions and heat pumps

29:47 Conclusion and next steps

Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.

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21 - Tenant participation with Colin Stewart, Louise McNeilage and Helen Barton