Future Homes Standard Published, Implementation Timetable Confirmed Alongside New Requirements

The FHS contains a series of measures to prepare newly built homes for the UK’s net-zero future, future-proofing new developments in order to avoid the need of the widespread retrofit efforts needed for older housing stock and to ensure compliance with the legally binding target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by 2050, particularly important given that domestic dwellings are responsible for approximately 20% of the UK's GHG emissions.

How will the FHS be implemented?

Energy efficiency requirements for new homes and non-domestic buildings are set by Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (ventilation) of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 for England.

MHCLG’s response confirms that the FHS will be introduced to decarbonise and future-proof new buildings in England by making changes to Part L and Part F for both domestic dwellings and non-domestic buildings.

The timetable for implementation

To implement the changes, the Government has already laid draft regulations in Parliament to amend the Building Regulations to implement the FHS and published updated statutory guidance which accompanies the updated Building Regulations.

MHCLG has confirmed that The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 will come into effect (subject to transitional provisions):

• On 24 March 2027, for non-higher-risk building work. For such building work to be completed in line with the previous version of the Building Regulations, relevant documents will need to have been submitted to the relevant authority by 24 March 2027 and construction will need to commence on the relevant building by 24 March 2028 (unless other transitional provisions apply)

• On 24 September 2027 for higher-risk building (“HRB”) (defined as those least 18 meters tall or having at least seven storeys contains at least two residential units) work. For HRBs a valid Gateway 2 application must have been submitted before 24 September 2027, for such work to be completed to the previous Building Regulations and the application must not have been rejected before that date or be rejected or lapse on or after that date.

What changes does the FHS actually require?

New homes under the FHS will be required to deliver at least a 75% reduction in GHG emissions across their lifespan compared to those properties constructed in line with the existing Building Regulations, Regulations which have not been updated significantly since 2013.

To bring these standards into effect, the FHS will require new homes to be built with on-site renewable energy generation, such as solar panels, along with heat pumps, as well as an increased focus on energy efficiency.

Heat Pumps:

The Governments Warm Homes Plan and Heat Pump incentives have clearly set the tone for many of these standards, and it has been announced that boilers and combined heat and power systems will be “unlikely to be present in new buildings” as they would struggle to meet the strict new guidance on the carbon intensity of fuel used for heat.

As a result of this low-carbon heating becoming mandatory, traditional gas boiler installations in new homes will effectively be ended and most new dwellings going forward will be fitted with heat pumps or connected to a heat network instead transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean heat sources.

Solar Panels:

MHCLG has also announced that as part of the FHS all new residential and non-domestic buildings will be subject to a legal requirement for renewable electricity generation and that it is expected that most of the renewable energy will be generated by solar panels.

As per the requirements in the FHS, solar panels will need to be installed with an equivalent area in size to 40% of the dwelling’s ground floor,  which will result in most developments needing to be fitted with rooftop solar panels. Where this is not possible, they should still install a “reasonable” amount of solar panels instead, however there will be specific exemptions implemented for homes with lots of shade overhead, for example, from tree cover.

The FHS also confirms that HRBs will be exempt from the solar panel requirements as well as an exemption for development sites where a 720kWh/year output cannot realistically be achieved.

In light of these requirements MHCLG has also announced that it intends to work with retailers and manufacturers to roll out low-cost ‘plug-in’ solar panels which homeowners will be able to install on their properties to reduce their energy bills. The hope is that plug-in solar panels will provide the benefit of solar panels with none of the installation costs of roof-mounted panels, as they will be able to be used when plugged into any power source just like other portable electronics.

Energy Efficiency:

The FHS also includes an emphasis on improved insulation and airtightness, with more ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and heating in new dwellings and non-domestic buildings.

Accordingly developers will need to think more carefully about the embodied carbon of homes, altering the materials, design and construction processes as needed.

Summary

Under the FHS the direction of travel is clear, fossil fuel heating is no longer compatible and going forward developers and the wider construction industry will be required to implement new skills, supply chains, and maintenance models.

Whilst the FHS does include a phased implementation approach as well as transitional arrangements, which are designed to give developers and the industry time to adapt, given the scale of the proposed change it is important that, if they haven’t been already, existing development proposals are assessed against the new standards and timelines and also to assess whether any amendments to existing planning consents may be needed.