What do European Property Owners really think about building renovation?
Europe’s path toward energy efficiency in buildings is a cornerstone of its climate goals, but what do property owners really think about building renovation? A new survey by the International Union of Property Owners (UIPI) reveals broad support for home energy renovations across Europe, but also highlights the barriers that are preventing many from moving from intention to action.
At Gamma Labs, we’re proud to be part of the One Click Reno project that supported this survey, and to see our BERWOW platform in use as a key tool in accelerating building renovation efforts.
Key Findings
The UIPI survey, conducted in 2024 with over 5,500 respondents across 32 countries in Europe. Most respondents were small-scale property owners, with 93% owning less than 10 properties. The majority (67%) identified as owner-occupiers, while 26% were landlords. Nearly all properties (97%) were in the residential sector, split between single-family dwellings (56%) and units within multi–apartment buildings (41%).
Attitudes toward renovation
78% of property owners see the benefits of improving energy efficiency. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among owner-occupiers (82%), and single-family dwelling owners (83%), but also shared by landlords (68%) and owners in multi–apartment buildings (72%).
Renovation takes centre stage
84% of property owners have either completed a renovation in the past ten years (49%), are currently renovating (12%), or plan to renovate within the next decade (23%).
Single-family dwelling owners are more likely to have already completed or be currently undertaking renovations (69%) compared to owners of units in multi-apartment buildings (49%), which could suggest that carrying out renovation works may be more complex when decisions require coordination among multiple co-owners.
The survey findings also show that among property owners who have undertaken or are currently involved in renovations, the most common interventions include changing the heat source (64%), improving thermal insulation (59%), and upgrading heating components (34%).
Other areas of focus include appliances, roof structure, and electric systems, though at notably lower rates. Importantly, half of these renovators changed their heating source, with electric heating (42%) and solar (26%) being the most popular alternatives. Geothermal (20%) and gas (19%) also featured prominently, while biomass (10%) and district heating (8%) were less common.
These trends highlight a strong willingness among property owners to shift towards more sustainable and efficient energy systems, particularly in heating, often the most carbon-intensive aspect of residential energy use.
Renovation motivations
Maintenance stands out as the primary motivation overall and for all respondent types. Whether respondents have already completed work, are currently undertaking it, or are considering future renovations, the main motivators remain the same: maintaining or preserving the property, improving comfort, reducing monthly costs, and increasing the property or rental value.
Renovation Barriers
Despite widespread support for making homes more energy-efficient, the UIPI survey highlights that good intentions often stall when faced with financial and technical roadblocks.
Over a third of property owners say they lack the necessary funds or support to begin renovations, while others remain unconvinced that the investment is truly “worth it.” Alarmingly, more than one-third of those who did carry out renovation work received no public or financial aid, while those who did benefit primarily accessed tax deductions or direct subsidies.
But cost isn’t the only challenge. Technical guidance also appears woefully inadequate. Only 55% of respondents received professional advice during their renovation journey. Among those who did, the most common sources of guidance were:
– Craftspeople or construction companies (36%)
– Engineers or architects (22%)– Material and appliance providers (16%)
– Energy advisors (16%)
These figures reveal a critical gap in accessible, trustworthy, and unbiased advice, particularly in the early stages of decision-making, where confusion often outweighs clarity.
Notably, awareness of one-stop shops (OSS), holistic renovation support services encouraged by the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, remains low, with just 11% of owners familiar with them. Yet, those who did use an OSS reported high satisfaction with the service.
From Policy to Action
In summary, the UIPI survey reveals a clear message: property owners want to act, but concerns over cost, complexity, and policy trust are slowing momentum.
Nearly 60% oppose mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), citing affordability concerns, inflexibility, and the feeling that their property rights are at risk. Confidence in Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is also shaky, and awareness of Building Renovation Passports (BRPs) – despite their potential – is still strikingly low.
At Gamma Labs, we believe that digital innovation can help close this gap; not just through planning and guidance tools, but through empowering solutions like BERWOW, which meet homeowners where they are: looking for clarity, cost transparency, and guidance they can trust.
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