Common Questions

This FAQ page answers common questions about Blueprint Housing & Investments. It draws on information from Blueprint’s published materials, government guidance and social‑housing bodies to provide clear, evidence‑based answers. If anything is unclear or you need more information, please don't hesitate to email us.
About Blueprint & Our Mission
What is Blueprint Housing & Investments and why partner with us?

Blueprint Housing & Investments is a UK‑based initiative focused on addressing the urgent housing needs of society’s most vulnerable people. Rather than simply buying properties, we build long‑term partnerships with local authorities (LAs) and housing associations (HAs). By identifying housing stock that is unfit for habitation and acquiring it, we transform disused properties into high‑quality, energy‑efficient homes. Our mission is to save people from fuel poverty, support communities and help reduce carbon emissions, working towards carbon net‑zero.

Blueprint is designed to tackle several interlinked housing challenges. First, we target long-term empty homes and substandard properties that blight communities – there are over 265,000 long-term empty houses in England as of 2024. By renovating these, we increase the housing supply without the delay of new construction. This helps reduce homelessness and the strain on temporary accommodation: over 131,000 households (including tens of thousands of families) are stuck in temporary housing in England. Every home Blueprint refurbishes can provide a permanent place for a family that might otherwise be in Bed and Breakfasts or hostels. Additionally, we combat fuel poverty and high energy bills by upgrading insulation and heating systems, making homes far more affordable to heat. Finally, our program helps address the net-zero carbon challenge. Housing accounts for a significant portion of UK emissions, and the Climate Change Committee warns the UK cannot meet targets “without near complete decarbonisation of the housing stock”. By retrofitting old homes with modern, efficient technology, Blueprint cuts carbon emissions from housing while improving living conditions. In summary, we turn housing problems (empty, inefficient homes) into social solutions: habitable, sustainable homes for those who need them most.

We work in close collaboration with a range of stakeholders. Our primary partners are local authorities (councils) and housing associations, who identify the housing needs and often nominate the empty or under-used properties for us to acquire. We also coordinate with care providers and support organisations when developing supported housing projects, to ensure that vulnerable tenants receive the help they need in the new homes. In addition, Blueprint engages accredited contractors and technology providers (for example, renewable energy installers and smart-tech companies) to carry out the refurbishments to high standards. By uniting investors, councils, housing associations, and specialised service providers under one program, Blueprint creates a collaborative approach where everyone’s expertise contributes to better housing outcomes.

UK-wide coverage. Blueprint Housing & Investments is based in the UK and works with councils and housing associations across the country — from major cities to rural communities. Our operations span all regions of England, including London (across all boroughs, from Barking & Dagenham to Westminster), the South East (such as Kent, Surrey, and Brighton & Hove), the South West (including Bristol, Devon, and Cornwall), the Midlands (e.g. Birmingham, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire), and Northern England (from Greater Manchester and Merseyside to West Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear). We can also support projects in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, subject to local need and partnership opportunities. Whether it’s an inner-city borough or a small market town, Blueprint can operate in communities across the UK — bringing empty homes back into use and delivering high-quality, energy-efficient housing where it’s needed most.

Map of Area

Blueprints Area of Work

How long does the retrofit process take?

The timeline for a retrofit can vary based on a property’s condition and the scope of improvements, but Blueprint’s process is designed to be efficient. In many cases, a full refurbishment – including structural repairs, installing new heating systems, insulation, and renewable tech – can be completed in a matter of a few months (often around 3–4 months from acquisition to handover for a typical house). Simpler renovations or homes in better initial shape might be finished sooner, sometimes in just several weeks. Before works begin, our team surveys the property and plans the project in detail to avoid delays. We also handle any required permissions or building control sign-offs in parallel. This streamlined approach means that an empty, derelict house can be transformed into a high-quality home and made available to tenants as quickly as possible. Our priority is balancing speed with quality – we won’t cut corners, but we recognise the urgency of getting homes ready for people in need, so we coordinate closely with contractors and suppliers to meet tight timelines.

Blueprint primarily targets existing residential properties that are unused or below standard, rather than building new homes from scratch.

The ideal candidates are long-term empty houses, former council or housing association properties in disrepair, and other dwellings that can be brought up to modern standards.

These might be a vacant single-family home or a derelict one-house that needs renovation. We evaluate properties based on criteria such as: the level of disrepair (and whether it’s feasible to fix), the potential to achieve strong energy performance after upgrades, and the local demand (we ensure any home we refurbish fills a real need for that size/type of accommodation in the area).

By focusing on existing buildings, Blueprint avoids the higher environmental cost and longer timelines of new construction – refurbishing empty homes is generally faster, greener and cheaper than building new ones.

It also helps regenerate neighbourhoods by turning blighted properties into livable homes. In short, if a property is standing empty or substandard and local partners have a need for it, Blueprint sees an opportunity to invest and turn it into a quality home again.

How does Blueprint acquire and upgrade properties for social housing?

  • Property acquisition: Working with local authorities and housing associations, Blueprint identifies homes that are empty or below standard. We ensure acquisitions align with local housing demand and evolving regulatory standards.

  • Renovation & decarbonisation: Properties undergo comprehensive renovation, including energy‑efficient retrofitting and the integration of renewable technologies like solar panels and advanced heating systems. The goal is to create safe, comfortable homes while contributing to long‑term sustainability and carbon‑reduction targets.

  • Delivery at no upfront cost: Blueprint funds the work and provides refurbished homes on full repairing and insuring (FRI) leases, so the local authority or housing association has no upfront capital expenditure. The FRI structure also shifts ongoing maintenance responsibilities away from the authority, freeing resources for tenant support and new projects.

Our core focus is on refurbishing and decarbonising existing housing stock rather than constructing brand-new homes.

By renovating empty or uninhabitable properties, we can deliver homes far more quickly and sustainably reusing an existing building avoids wasting the materials and “embodied carbon” already in that structure.

It’s also a cost-effective approach: retrofitting an empty home can often be done at lower cost (and with less community disruption) than a comparable new-build, while still achieving like-new standards.

By concentrating on these, we tackle two problems at once: we reduce the number of wasted empty properties and we supply quality housing for people who need it.

Our approach supports sustainability goals (through retrofit and reuse) and delivers social value faster than waiting for new developments to be planned and built.

What technologies and upgrades does Blueprint install in refurbished homes?

Blueprint’s Tenant‑First & Sustainable Specification uses high‑quality materials and the latest technology:

UpgradeDescription
Improved windows & doorsEnergy‑efficient openings reduce heat loss; trickle vents improve air quality and stop mould; fire doors add insulation and safety.
InsulationNew insulation enhances energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and lowering heating/cooling costs.
High‑quality finishesDurable materials reduce maintenance needs and increase comfort for residents.
Heating systemsHeat pumps or storage heaters use ambient air for efficient heating; NexGen far‑infrared heating warms people or spaces efficiently with AI‑driven controls.
Solar panels & battery storageRenewable solar energy reduces reliance on traditional power; battery storage captures excess energy for later use, maximising efficiency and lowering energy costs.
NexGen thermal wallpaperInfrared heating runs more efficiently than traditional systems, provides consistent warmth, and helps eradicate mould; integrated with TouchBase CRM for remote control and energy savings.
Access controlSmart access management allows remote control of property entry, enhancing security and reducing the need for physical keys and management visits.
Water management systemMonitors water quality and can shut off water remotely to prevent leaks or waste.

TouchBase Connect is Blueprint’s proprietary smart-home management platform. It’s essentially the “digital brain” that links all the technology in a Blueprint home and provides an interface for both tenants and housing managers.

Through TouchBase Connect, we remotely monitor each property’s environment – things like temperature, humidity, energy usage, and even security status – in real time. Residents are given a user-friendly device (such as a tablet) or a mobile app that connects to the platform, allowing them to do things like adjust the heating, see their energy consumption, and report any maintenance issues with a tap of a button.

For example, if a tenant notices a minor repair need (say a dripping tap), they can log it through TouchBase, and our system will schedule a fix proactively.

On the management side, TouchBase Connect enables Blueprint and our partners to receive alerts from the property’s sensors (for instance, if a smoke alarm triggers or if the home’s internal temperature falls outside a safe range).

We can also control systems remotely – for example, optimising heating schedules or unlocking doors for authorised visitors without needing to be on-site.

Overall, TouchBase Connect improves tenant support (they have 24/7 access to help or guidance) and maintenance efficiency (many issues are detected and resolved before they become big problems). It’s a key part of how we ensure the homes run smoothly and cost-effectively over the long term.

Mould growth on a wall due to chronic damp – a problem Blueprint’s retrofits are designed to eliminate.

Tackling damp and mould is a top priority in all Blueprint projects, given the serious health risks they pose and the new legal requirements (such as “Awaab’s Law” in the UK, which mandates quick action on mould issues).

Our approach is preventative: we design the refurbishment so that conditions for damp and mould simply don’t occur. Firstly, as mentioned above, we use far-infrared heating (NexGen) on walls and ceilings which keeps surfaces warm and dry, so moisture doesn’t condense. This technology essentially guarantees a mould-proof environment by removing the cold spots where black mould would typically thrive.

Secondly, we ensure proper ventilation in every property – this includes installing trickle vents in windows and, where needed, mechanical ventilation systems or extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Good airflow carries away excess humidity from everyday activities like cooking and showering.

Thirdly, we address any structural causes of damp during the renovation: for example, fixing leaky roofs or gutters, improving drainage, and adding damp-proof coatings or membranes to walls and floors if required. We also use moisture-resistant materials and mould-inhibiting paint in susceptible areas.

Finally, thanks to our TouchBase Connect platform, we can continuously monitor humidity levels inside the home. If unusual spikes in humidity occur, it can alert us or the managing housing provider to intervene early.

All these measures together mean that when a Blueprint home is delivered, it not only has no mould – it’s equipped to stay that way. Residents can breathe easy (literally), and the property complies fully with health standards, sparing the council or housing association from future mould-related repairs or legal issues.

How do Blueprint’s services contribute to the UK’s net‑zero goals?

The National Housing Federation notes that the UK’s net‑zero pathway requires complete elimination of emissions from housing, and that most fabric energy‑efficiency improvements should be completed by 2035. Blueprint’s retrofit model directly supports this by:

  • Transforming existing homes: Rather than building new housing, we reduce waste and embodied carbon by refurbishing and decarbonising existing stock.

  • Deploying renewable energy: Solar PV, battery storage and renewable heating reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

  • Preventing energy waste: NexGen far‑infrared heating delivers heat exactly where it’s needed, reducing waste and improving comfort.

  • Partnering with accredited specialists: Our collaboration with Flux Solar Energy (a TrustMark‑accredited provider) delivers high‑specification solar PV panels, batteries and insulation, which improve energy efficiency, reduce bills, and address damp and condensation.


By combining these measures with smart monitoring and proactive maintenance, Blueprint helps local authorities and housing associations contribute meaningfully to the UK’s net‑zero commitments.

NexGen heating wallpaper is an innovative far-infrared heating system that looks like a thin sheet and can be applied beneath paint or wallpaper.

Instead of heating the air like a conventional radiator, it emits infrared energy that directly warms the walls, furniture, and people in a room – a bit like how the warmth of the sun feels on your skin.

This method of heating has several advantages.

Efficiency-wise, it’s incredibly high – the UK’s first project using infrared wallpaper (which Blueprint completed in 2024) found it to be 400% more efficient to run than a typical gas boiler. It uses much less energy for the same heating effect, partly because it can be targeted to specific areas and doesn’t waste heat. 

Comfort-wise, the heat distribution is very even and gentle; there are no cold spots, and because it warms surfaces, it keeps the property drier.

This leads to the next benefit: mould prevention. By keeping walls and corners warm, NexGen wallpaper stops moisture from condensing there, effectively making it impossible for mould to take hold.

The system is also silent, low-maintenance (with a lifespan often 15+ years), and invisible once installed – you wouldn’t know a wall has a heating system behind it.

Blueprint integrates the NexGen panels with our smart controls (TouchBase), so they only activate when needed, further saving energy.

In summary, infrared thermal wallpaper is a cutting-edge solution that provides efficient, consistent warmth and helps ensure the home stays mould-free and healthy, aligning perfectly with Blueprint’s sustainability and tenant well-being goals.

What is Blueprint Housing & Investments and why partner with us?

Blueprint Housing & Investments (part of the Blueprint H.I. programme) is a UK‑based initiative focused on addressing the urgent housing needs of society’s most vulnerable people. Rather than simply buying properties, we build long‑term partnerships with local authorities (LAs) and housing associations (HAs). By identifying housing stock that is unfit for habitation and acquiring it, we transform disused properties into high‑quality, energy‑efficient homes. Our mission is to save people from fuel poverty, support communities and help reduce carbon emissions, working towards carbon net‑zero.

Blueprint is funded through private investment committed to social impact.

We have a pool of investors and financing partners who believe in the mission of providing sustainable, affordable homes and are willing to front the capital to acquire and renovate properties.

These are often ethical investment funds, impact investors, making a positive difference.

Because our investors take on the upfront costs, this relieves the public sector from needing to pay for the works. Importantly, the funding model is structured so that returns are generated gradually via the lease payments – there is no dependence on charging high rents to tenants (in fact, rents remain at social or affordable levels as set by the council/HA).

Any surplus after covering investor returns is typically reinvested into acquiring and improving more homes.

Councils get refurbished homes without capital spend, investors get a reliable return, and vulnerable people get quality homes – a win-win situation enabled by our funding approach.

What funding model does Blueprint use? Is there an upfront cost?

Blueprint offers a full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease model. The purchase, renovation and decarbonisation of properties are financed by Blueprint, so there are no upfront costs for the local authority or housing association.

What benefits do local authorities and housing associations receive by partnering with Blueprint?

  • Cost‑free renovation and improved stock: Homes are refurbished to modern standards with energy‑efficient upgrades without any capital outlay.

  • Regulatory compliance: Upgrades ensure compliance with evolving energy‑performance and decarbonisation standards. Social landlords in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are working to get all properties to minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by 2030 and the UK government is consulting on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) requiring EPC C for socially‑rented homes by 2030. Partnering with Blueprint helps meet these targets.

  • Long‑term sustainability: Renovations include renewable technologies and energy‑efficiency measures such as solar panels, water management, modern heating systems, insulation and smart controls. These measures cut carbon emissions and support the UK’s net‑zero goals.

Blueprint’s tenant‑first approach delivers several benefits:

  • Healthier homes: Renovations eliminate damp, mould and hazards, improving physical and mental well‑being.

  • Lower utility costs: Installing solar panels, battery storage, advanced heating systems and improved insulation reduces energy bills and helps alleviate fuel poverty.

  • Improved quality of life: Modernised, safe and sustainable housing fosters dignity and stability for tenants.

  • 24/7 support and monitoring: Our TouchBase Connect platform provides tenants with smart devices for reporting issues and requesting support at any time, while AI‑driven analytics optimise energy use and maintenance.

Yes, this is one of the driving reasons behind our programme.

By turning around empty properties into habitable homes, Blueprint can significantly boost the supply of available social housing, which in turn helps move families out of temporary accommodation.

As of 2025, there are record numbers of households in temporary lodgings – over 131,000 households in England, including more than 165,000 children, are stuck in hotels, B&Bs, or other temporary setups. One major cause is the lack of permanent, affordable homes for them to move into.

Blueprint tackles this bottleneck by providing additional renovated homes, without waiting for new construction.

For a local authority, every Blueprint home delivered is potentially one household that can be relocated from nightly-paid temporary accommodation to a secure, long-term home, improving that family’s stability and well-being.

This also translates to substantial cost savings for councils, since temporary accommodation (especially in hotels) is very expensive, with national spending of over £1.6–2 billion per year.

By reducing these numbers, councils can reallocate funds to other preventive services. Moreover, the quality of Blueprint homes (with modern insulation, heating, and no mould) ensures that when homeless families or individuals are housed, they are less likely to fall back into crisis due to poor living conditions.

Our approach aligns with what housing charities call for – using existing vacant homes to alleviate the homelessness crisis fast.

In summary, partnering with Blueprint gives local authorities a powerful tool in the fight against homelessness: it increases move-on opportunities out of temporary accommodation and into decent, affordable homes, thereby shortening homeless stays and reducing future homelessness risks.

Absolutely!

One notable success is the UK’s first anti-mould supported housing project, which Blueprint completed in 2024 in partnership with a housing support charity.

The property was in very poor condition and uninhabitable before, but after Blueprint’s retrofit, it achieved an excellent Energy Performance Certificate rating of B (far above the minimum target of C).

This project was groundbreaking because it was the first in the country to use NexGen infrared thermal wallpaper as the primary heating system throughout the house – which is why it’s called “anti-mould”, since this technology keeps the environment mould-free. In fact, the infrared heating is about four times more efficient than a typical gas boiler and came with a 15-year performance guarantee.

We also installed solar panels, a battery storage unit, and a heat exchange ventilation system, creating an ultra-efficient, low-carbon home.

The end result has been hugely positive: the residents benefit from very low energy bills and a safe, warm environment, and the housing association has a high-quality asset with minimal maintenance needs.

The local authority met its goal of providing better supported accommodation, and the project has been highlighted as setting a new standard for healthy, sustainable homes in the social sector.

We have other ongoing projects across different regions (for example, refurbishing homes in Preston, Chorley, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire amongst other places and many more as we expand to help with the current crisis), all demonstrating improvements in energy performance and resident well-being.

We’re proud that our approach has been validated by these successes – and we’re using the lessons learned to replicate the model in many more areas, so every case study becomes a blueprint for future housing solutions.

How does partnering with Blueprint help us comply with energy‑performance and decarbonisation standards?

The UK Government has legislated for the country to reach net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050, with interim targets of a 68% reduction by 2030 and 78% by 2035. For housing associations, this means eliminating greenhouse‑gas emissions from housing and retrofitting all homes so that social homes reach EPC C by 2028. The government is consulting on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards requiring EPC C for socially‑rented homes by 2030.

Blueprint’s retrofit programme aligns properties with these standards by:

  • Achieving EPC C or better: Energy‑efficient upgrades and renewable technologies improve the building fabric and heating systems to reach at least EPC band C, helping meet the 2030 target.

  • Eliminating fossil‑fuel heating: Replacing gas boilers with heat pumps, far‑infrared heating and solar energy supports the elimination of direct fossil‑fuel emissions from homes; housing emissions currently account for around 13 % of UK carbon emissions.

  • Planning for net‑zero: Comprehensive decarbonisation strategies that reduce emissions now will create headroom for sectors that take longer to decarbonise and help the UK meet its intermediate and final targets.

If you represent a council or housing association and are interested in partnering with Blueprint:

  1. Contact us: Reach out via email or phone to discuss your housing needs. Blueprint collaborates with partners across the UK, working to understand local housing challenges and tailor solutions accordingly.

  2. Property assessment: We jointly identify suitable properties that require upgrading and evaluate them against housing demand and regulatory requirements.

  3. Agree refurbishment plan: Blueprint proposes a refurbishment and decarbonisation plan, including energy‑efficiency measures, renewable technologies and smart‑home systems.

  4. Lease and delivery: Upon agreement, Blueprint funds and delivers the renovation under an FRI lease, handing over a high‑quality, energy‑efficient home that complies with current and emerging standards.


For more information, you can contact Blueprint Housing & Investments via the details provided on our main website. We look forward to working with local authorities and housing associations to create healthier, more sustainable homes across the UK.