Building Regulation amendments to implement Future Homes and Buildings Standard

New statutory guidance has been published ahead of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard coming into effect from March 2027. 

The following Approved Documents have been amended, and are available to download here (L1 & L2) and (F):

• Approved Document L (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Volume 1: Dwellings 
• Approved Document L (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings 
• Approved Document F (Ventilation) Volume 1: Dwellings. 

The covering letter issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government can be found here.

The amendments apply to buildings and building work in England and come into force on 24th March 2027, although there are some exceptions to this (regulations 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 come into force for higher-risk building (HRB) work and work to existing HRBs on 24 September 2027, subject to transitional provisions).

Summary of the main changes to Approved Documents

There is updated statutory guidance in Approved Document L (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Volumes 1 (Dwellings) and 2 (Buildings other than Dwellings) and Approved Document F (Ventilation) Volume 1 (Dwellings) to support compliance with the Regulations. This includes new or updated guidance on:

• Routes for dwellings or buildings other than dwellings (including mixed-use buildings) connected to a new or existing heat network to demonstrate compliance.
• Limiting heat loss from low carbon heating systems.
• Minimum building services efficiencies and controls, heat pump controls, fixing operational and maintenance information to heat pumps, and insulation for building heat distribution systems.
• The commissioning and installation of fixed building services, including clarifying the importance of following manufacturers’ instructions for heat pump installations, on-site electricity storage systems, and highlighting the role of competent persons schemes when installing a heat pump or mechanical ventilation.
• Routes for certifying fixed building services installations and setting out available enforcement options where work does not meet the required standards.
• The new functional requirement (L3) in relation to the installation of a system for onsite renewable electricity when a dwelling or building containing a dwelling is erected.
• The Home User Guide, including guidance to help ensure Home User Guides are provided to material change of use dwelling owners.

Further details, including those for transitional arrangements, can be found within the Building Circular letter.