Milestone
2 Mar 2026
NHQC v2 applies to homes reserved from this date.
Compliance guide
Future Homes Standard, ready plot by plot.
What changes on 24 March 2027, what evidence you need to hold for each plot, and the dates that matter. A plain-English reference for housebuilders and their compliance teams.
The Future Homes Standard is a set of building regulations for new build homes in England, taking effect 24 March 2027. It sets three energy performance metrics, assessed at design stage and as-built stage, plot by plot. Housebuilders need plot-level evidence for every plot from that date.
Timeline
The dates that matter.
Every date that decides when the Future Homes Standard applies to a plot, a scheme or a business.
Milestone
24 Mar 2026
Future Homes Standard published. Approved Document L 2026 released.
Main deadline
24 Mar 2027
Building regs applications from here must meet the Future Homes Standard.
Milestone
24 Sep 2027
Applies to higher risk buildings.
Milestone
24 Mar 2028
Work started after this date must comply, regardless of application date.
What changes on 24 March 2027
Three metrics. All three, every plot.
The Future Homes Standard introduces three energy performance metrics. Every plot must achieve all three, at design stage and as-built stage. Initial methodology is SAP 10.3; the Home Energy Model follows once formally adopted.
Metric 01
Emission Rate
CO2 emissions per m² per year for the plot. Calculated using SAP 10.3, or the Home Energy Model once ready.
Metric 02
Primary Energy Rate
Total primary energy per m² per year. Accounts for fuel and delivery efficiency, not just the plot.
Metric 03
Fabric Energy Efficiency
Fabric performance, independent of the heating system. Cannot be masked by an efficient boiler.
The wedge
Plot by plot, not site by site.
A single scheme can carry plots built to different specifications during transition. Every plot needs its own audit trail. A site-level record is no longer sufficient.
What good evidence looks like
An eight-stage audit trail. Per plot.
Captured as the work happens, not compiled retrospectively. Ready for building control on request, at any point up to and including handover.
- 01 Signed
Design stage SAP target
Per plot, not per site. Locked before ground breaks.
- 02 Signed
As-designed evidence pack
Full assumptions bundle, ready for building control.
- 03 Signed
Foundation inspection
Geotagged photos, dated, dual sign-off on file.
- 04 Signed
Superstructure inspection
Fabric evidence captured on site, per plot.
- 05 Signed
First fix inspection
Services, insulation, air-tightness pre-checks.
- 06 Signed
Pre-plaster inspection
Photos before anything is covered up.
- 07 Signed
As-built SAP verification
Reconciled against the design stage target, per plot.
- 08 Signed
Final compliance report
Dual sign-off from site manager and inspector. Locked at handover.
Built for the deadline
Evidence every plot, in one workflow.
Ubrix carries the full eight-stage audit trail on every plot record. Design stage SAP target, as-built verification, geotagged photos, dual sign-off. The compliance pack is ready when building control asks.
Future Homes Standard, frequently asked.
When does the Future Homes Standard come into force?
The Future Homes Standard applies to building regulations applications submitted from 24 March 2027. Higher risk buildings follow from 24 September 2027. From 24 March 2028, work started must comply regardless of when the original application was made.
Is the Future Homes Standard per plot or per site?
It is assessed plot by plot. Transitional arrangements apply per plot, so a single scheme can carry plots built to different specifications. Evidence must be captured for each plot separately.
What is the difference between design stage and as-built stage evidence?
Design stage evidence sets the target values for a plot before construction. As-built stage evidence confirms the plot as delivered meets those values. Both are required, per plot.
What are the three metrics under the Future Homes Standard?
Emission Rate (CO2 per square metre per year), Primary Energy Rate (total primary energy per square metre per year) and Fabric Energy Efficiency (fabric performance independent of the heating system). All three must be achieved, at design stage and as-built stage.
What is SAP 10.3?
SAP 10.3 is the initial approved methodology for calculating the Future Homes Standard metrics. It replaces earlier SAP versions used under Part L 2021. The Home Energy Model follows once approved.
What is the Home Energy Model?
The Home Energy Model is the next-generation methodology intended to replace SAP for new build compliance. It is not yet the default. SAP 10.3 continues to be the working methodology until the Home Energy Model is formally adopted.
What happens to transitional sites carrying mixed specifications?
Sites in transition often carry plots submitted before 24 March 2027 (under Part L 2021) alongside plots submitted after (under the Future Homes Standard). Both groups need distinct evidence packs. A site-level audit trail is no longer sufficient.
Does the Future Homes Standard apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
The Future Homes Standard as set out in Approved Document L 2026 is an England instrument. Scotland (Section 6), Wales and Northern Ireland have separate but comparable energy compliance regimes. Evidence needs to be captured per plot in every region.
Who is responsible for holding the plot-level evidence?
The developer and their principal designer or principal contractor are responsible for producing and holding the plot-level evidence pack. Building control can request it at any point up to and including handover.
What happens if building control asks for evidence and I cannot produce it?
The plot cannot be signed off until the evidence is provided. That can delay completion, delay funds landing, and in extreme cases require redesign or remediation. Plot-level evidence should be captured as work happens, not compiled retrospectively.
Ready when building control is.
See Ubrix walked through with your plots, your specifications and your evidence workflow in mind.
