As we step into the new year, the Institute of Specialist Surveyors and Engineers (ISSE) would like to wish all our members, affiliates, and industry colleagues a very Happy New Year. We hope the festive period offered at least a brief pause to recharge, even if—like many in our sector—it was far from quiet.
Winter has arrived in earnest. Cold, damp conditions once again remind us why the work carried out by ISSE members matters so deeply: the performance, safety, health, and resilience of the UK’s built environment does not pause for the holidays.
A Broader Church, A Shared Responsibility
ISSE is deliberately a broad church. Our membership spans:
- Damp and mould specialists
- Building health professionals
- Retrofit experts
- Surveyors and engineers
- Specialists in inspection, assessment, and remediation
While building surveyors represent a significant portion of our community, market conditions affect everyone involved in housing, construction, and the wider built-environment ecosystem. Transaction volumes, affordability pressures, and regulatory change ripple through the entire system. Stability in the housing market matters not just to buyers and sellers, but to the sustainability of the professions that support them.
Thank You: Consultation and Commitment
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the Government consultation on Home Buying and Selling Reform. Many of you did so during the festive period, giving your time and professional insight when most would understandably have been off-duty.
Those responses mattered.
They reflected the real-world experience of professionals who understand condition, risk, and consumer protection. They also reinforced a core ISSE principle: that improving outcomes for the public starts with competence, independence, and ethics—not just headline-driven solutions.
Warm Homes Plan: Getting It Right
Alongside this, ISSE has continued its work engaging with the government on the Warm Homes Plan, contributing to discussions around energy efficiency, retrofit quality, and health outcomes.
We have consistently made the case that delivery matters as much as ambition. Poor specification and inadequate inspection regimes risk repeating past mistakes—particularly where moisture, ventilation, and indoor air quality are not properly addressed. ISSE will continue to advocate for joined-up thinking that balances energy savings with long-term building health.
Building Safety: Stay Informed
Building safety remains a live and evolving agenda. Members are encouraged to stay up to date with official guidance by subscribing to the DLUHC / Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Building Safety Updates:
🔗 https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/news/building-safety-7/
This replaces the former MHCLG Building Safety newsletter and remains the official channel for policy updates.
Staying informed is not optional—it is a professional responsibility.
Looking Ahead
As we move through the year, ISSE remains focused on its core mission: raising standards and ensuring those working in the built environment are properly equipped to protect the public.
At ISSE, we believe that better buildings start with better people. This year, we are doubling down on competence, ethics, and real-world impact.
📅 Save the Date: Wednesday 14th May
We are planning an ISSE member event where colleagues can meet, exchange ideas, and gain valuable CPD. Details are currently under wraps, but it promises to be an informal and worthwhile opportunity to reconnect as a professional community.
All will be revealed very soon.
Thank you for the professionalism and commitment you bring to your work. We look forward to working with you throughout the year ahead.
