Code for Sustainable Homes

On the 27 February 2008 the Government confirmed a mandatory rating against the Code will be implemented for new homes from 1 May 2008.

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 23 July 2007 Communities and Local Government consultation paper on proposals to make rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes mandatory including summary responses and supporting impact assessment
• 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.