Tenant perceptions of post-renovation indoor environmental quality in rental housing: Improved for some, but not for those reporting health-related symptoms

Abstract

Much of the 1950–1970s building stock in Sweden and other European countries is being renovated to reduce energy use and for general upgrading. To realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the renovations should also improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The PEIRE (People-Environment-Indoor-Renovation-Energy) study followed the renovation of a multifamily housing area in Sweden comprising 14 buildings with 323 dwellings in total. We aimed to investigate tenant perception of IEQ changes after the renovation with focus on perceived control of IEQ, recalling of being informed how to control IEQ, and if tenants with self-reported symptoms perceive the changes differently. A post-renovation survey (n = 104, response rate 36%) showed that the renovation increased the proportion of residents experiencing satisfactory thermal comfort and air quality in the winter, as well as improved noise conditions. Perceiving reduced draught in the thermal environment was associated with experiencing being informed and being able to control heat and ventilation. Respondents reporting skin irritation symptoms were less likely than others to perceive any improvements of IEQ factors such as air quality, daylight, noise from installations and neighbours, and periods of excessive heat. Renovations targeting housing sustainability – here, decreasing energy use and mitigating wear and tear while keeping the rents low – could increase tenant perceptions of improved IEQ, especially if factors concerning information and tenants’ ability to control the regulating systems are addressed. Interestingly, results of this study point out that tenants experiencing IEQ-related symptoms may require enhanced IEQ improvements to experience the renovation as satisfactory.