In this paper, the existing methods for the assessment of flexibility and adaptability in buildings are reviewed. These methods have been tentatively proposed for a number of building types / uses - notably for residential buildings - and generally propose sets of indicators, variables and weights that combine into a score of flexibility. In spite of the limited practical applicability of these methods so far, they provide a stimulating approach to greater use and incorporation of the concepts and strategies of flexibility and adaptability, aiming at an increased performance of buildings.