What PAS 2035:2023 Means to You

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What PAS 2035:2023 Means to You

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A Guide for Landlords, Local Authorities & Housing Providers

PAS 2035 is the UK’s official standard for domestic retrofit, setting out how energy efficiency improvements should be assessed, designed, installed, and evaluated. Sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), this standard supports a whole-house approach to retrofit – prioritising quality, safety, and long-term performance.

If you’re a landlord, local authority, or housing provider, PAS 2035 is more than a technical guideline – it’s a vital framework that shapes how you access funding, ensure compliance, and future-proof your housing stock.

What PAS 2035:2023 Means to You

For landlords:
PAS 2035 introduces a structured retrofit process with clearly defined roles (e.g. Retrofit Coordinator, Retrofit Assessor). This means greater accountability, more effective energy savings, and fewer unintended consequences like damp or overheating. Most importantly, it’s your key to unlocking grant funding and meeting evolving compliance standards. It also helps protect tenant wellbeing while increasing property value.

For local authorities and housing providers:
PAS 2035 supports scale. By encouraging a whole-dwelling and fabric-first approach, it ensures upgrades are durable, coordinated and in line with net-zero strategies. From bidding for ECO4 funding to managing large-scale social housing improvement schemes, compliance with PAS 2035 ensures works are safe, sustainable and future-ready. It also enables authorities to demonstrate clear duty-of-care for tenants and meet internal ESG objectives.

What’s New in PAS 2035 (2023 Revision)

A major update to PAS 2035 was released in 2023 and becomes mandatory from 30 March 2025. Notable changes include:

  • Clearer guidance: A stronger emphasis on occupant safety, ventilation, and consumer protection.

  • Medium-Term Improvement Plans: Now mandatory, these outline the next 20–30 years of potential energy efficiency improvements.

  • Archetype-based planning: Ideal for local authorities managing large portfolios – allowing standardised plans for common building types.

  • Airtightness strategies: Projects must now include an airtightness target and testing protocol.

  • Inclusion of BEIS technical guides: These offer further clarity on how to deliver compliant, high-performing upgrades.

How to Prepare for PAS 2035:2023

Getting ready involves more than technical adjustments. Here’s how landlords and housing providers can prepare:

  1. Audit your housing stock: Identify buildings that will require assessments under PAS 2035 and begin planning.

  2. Engage qualified professionals: Ensure your projects are led by accredited Retrofit Coordinators and Assessors.

  3. Align your procurement: Update contracts and tender documents to reflect PAS 2035 compliance.

  4. Inform stakeholders: Communicate changes to your internal teams, board, and tenants – showing your commitment to safer, smarter retrofits.

  5. Review your retrofit pipeline: Schedule works accordingly to avoid non-compliant projects post-March 2025.

Final Thoughts

PAS 2035:2023 is not just about compliance – it’s about confidence. It gives landlords and local authorities a reliable route to high-quality retrofits, while protecting the interests of tenants and ensuring public funding is well spent.

By acting now, landlords and housing providers can position themselves ahead of the curve, avoid disruption, and lead the way in delivering safe, sustainable homes.

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