What is Let Zero?

Let Zero is a project that has been commissioned by Innovate UK and is designed to help UK local authorities tackle the issue of poor housing conditions in the Private Rented Sector (PRS), including damp and mould and high carbon emissions. 

The project will develop an AI-enabled end-to-end solution, that will be launched in the coming months, and incorporate an easily accessible one-stop-shop to support private landlords and their tenants, especially in fuel-poor areas, in upgrading their properties and will provide landlords with a trusted path tailored to the needs of the property and its occupants. 

It will provide landlords with:

• A trusted support service
• A clear pathway to action based on quantified retrofit options
• Support accessing grants and finance

This will be achieved through the integration of a suite of innovative solutions developed by project partners. 

The project will develop a proof-of-concept for the one-stop-shop by:

• Assessing the needs of landlords and tenants.
• Initiating a 200-home renovation programme in South Yorkshire to generate data and learning on retrofit approaches, costs, challenges and performance.
• Categorising homes according to building type. Survey and generate 3D models for selected properties.
• Developing an AI tool that uses learning from properties in use, solution costs and needs of landlords and tenants to identify and design optimum solutions for retrofit.
• Delivering innovation within supply chains, including creating innovative products and developing local installation capability.
• Integrating grant funding and finance advice.

The one-stop-shop will initially be deployed in South Yorkshire but will be designed to be replicated across the UK, tailored to specific needs and local housing types. It will drive growth, innovation and revenue in local supply chains.

The project is being led by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, supported by a consortium with expertise in needs of landlords and tenants, provision of advice and guidance, data collation and analysis, optioneering, AI-generated retrofit design, together with manufacturers and installers from retrofit supply chains.

Main project contact: malcolm.ramsay@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk

This project is funded by:

Our delivery partners: