Condominiums require recognition in the Renovation Wave

The European Green Deal aspires to ‘Starting a renovation wave’ across the continent, doubling the current rates of renovation of public and private buildings. However, to accelerate deep retrofit of domestic dwellings, the role of condominiums or co-owned properties must be considered. Across the EU, 41.2% of the population reside in condominiums with figures in some EU countries rising as high as 65%.


With their shared envelope and multiple occupants and owners, deep retrofit of condominiums presents particular challenges. These require recognition in policy at the EU and national level in order to develop the ‘enabling environment’ required to accelerate deep retrofit. Only then will the scale of change meet the challenge of the climate emergency and the benefits to the environment, citizens and business alike be realised.

This policy brief is informed by direct experience of the current operating environment and focuses on areas specific to condominiums. These should be considered alongside positive retrofit enablers relevant to all building archetypes such as favourable VAT rates on materials.

Key policy recommendations for EU, national and regional policy makers

To accelerate deep retrofit in condominiums, ACE-Retrofitting partners call on EU, national and regional policy makers to recognise this critical common and specific building type and shape policy in the following areas:

  • Energy Performance Certificates and Standards
  • Condominium Data Availability
  • Comprehensive Building Audits and Retrofit Plans
  • Ownership Structures
  • Financial Support Mechanisms
  • Supply Chain Development
  • Support for Owners
  • Supply and Demand Linkage

Download the full report

ACE-Retrofitting was funded by Interreg (2016-2020) to address the challenge of deep retrofit in condominiums with a specific focus on accelerating activity in six pioneering cities. The project engaged with both occupants (demand) and building professionals (supply) and uniquely linked them together through a number of approaches including the established and successful CoachCopro online portal operated by the Paris Climate Agency (APC).