Code for Sustainable Homes
Responsible Body:
Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Summary:
The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) is an environmental assessment method for new homes which sets new minimum levels of performance across seven key issues e.g. energy efficiency.
Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Summary:
The Code for Sustainable Homes (the Code) is an environmental assessment method for new homes which sets new minimum levels of performance across seven key issues e.g. energy efficiency.
Key Requirements:
Minimum levels of performance have been introduced on:
Energy efficiency/CO2;
Water efficiency;
Surface water management;
Site waste management;
Household waste management;
Use of materials; and
Life time of homes
The Code has a scoring system and different levels are made up by achieving both the appropriate mandatory minimum standards and a proportion of the flexible standards.
There is a requirement to have a rating against the Code but this does not make it mandatory to build a Code home or to have each new home assessed against the Code. It does however mean that all buyers of new homes be given clear information about the sustainability of the new home.
Under current proposals the assessment result will be provided to the home buyer as part of the Home Information Pack. Therefore a house builder must do one of the following (dependant on whether he is building a Code home):
Build a Code home, have that home assessed against the Code and provide the home buyer with a certificate stating the star rating the home has achieved; or
Build to current building regulations standards, not pay for an assessment and download a free nil-rated certificate of non-assessment to provide to the home buyer.
Many local authorities now make a certain level a standard requirement for development of ten or more homes
Energy efficiency/CO2;
Water efficiency;
Surface water management;
Site waste management;
Household waste management;
Use of materials; and
Life time of homes
The Code has a scoring system and different levels are made up by achieving both the appropriate mandatory minimum standards and a proportion of the flexible standards.
There is a requirement to have a rating against the Code but this does not make it mandatory to build a Code home or to have each new home assessed against the Code. It does however mean that all buyers of new homes be given clear information about the sustainability of the new home.
Under current proposals the assessment result will be provided to the home buyer as part of the Home Information Pack. Therefore a house builder must do one of the following (dependant on whether he is building a Code home):
Build a Code home, have that home assessed against the Code and provide the home buyer with a certificate stating the star rating the home has achieved; or
Build to current building regulations standards, not pay for an assessment and download a free nil-rated certificate of non-assessment to provide to the home buyer.
Many local authorities now make a certain level a standard requirement for development of ten or more homes
Penalties & Implications of non-compliance:
The local authority is responsible for enforcement of the provision of certificates or nil-rated certificates within Home Information Packs.
Further Information:
Department of Communities and Local Government: http://www.communities.gov.uk
BREEAM: http://www.breeam.org
The local authority is responsible for enforcement of the provision of certificates or nil-rated certificates within Home Information Packs.
Further Information:
Department of Communities and Local Government: http://www.communities.gov.uk
BREEAM: http://www.breeam.org