Code for Sustainable Homes

From 1 May 2008 it is now mandatory for all new homes to be rated against the Code and include a Code or nil-rated certificate within the Home Information Pack.

The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package.  The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home.  The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

The Code also gives new homebuyers better information about the environmental impact of their new home and its potential running costs, and offer builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.

Since April 2007 the developer of any new home in England can choose to be assessed against the Code.

Communities and Local Government have published a Greener Homes for the Future Leaflet which highlights what the Code is, how it works and what it means to have a mandatory rating for new homes.

See the left hand navigation panel for

• more detailed guidance including the latest Code for Sustainable Homes Technical Guide May 2009 Version 2
• associated documents currently linking to a report on Code Homes:case studies, and the UK-Green building Council report
• the 16 December 2009 Communities and Local Government consultation paper on proposals to align with changes to Part L of the Building Regulations and the proposed approach to adopting the 2016 definition of zero carbon.
• background to how the Code was developed.
  

Frequently asked questions relating to the Code for Sustainable Homes can be found in the FAQ section of the Communities and Local Government website.