Commercial Property Solicitor Hannah Martin looks at the upcoming interim Part L uplift, which intends to increase the energy efficiency standards.
Hannah outlines when the uplift comes into force and details how to prepare for the changes.
What is the future homes standard?
The Future Homes Standard is part of the Government’s initiative to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero 2025. The Government have proposed that new homes built to Future Homes Standard will have carbon dioxide emissions at least 75% lower than those built to current Building Regulations standard.
The Future Homes Standard looks to place higher obligations and requirements in order to satisfy the Energy Performance Certifications.
Despite the government only recently implementing further actions to improve the EPCs of properties, they feel that there is more that can be done to actively reduce the carbon footprint of homes.
What changes are being made to Part L of the building regulations?
Part L of the Building Regulations is used to control how the Energy Performance of a property is rated.
The Regulations are to encourage homeowners and developers to use more sustainable heat sources such as heat pumps, cooling systems and fixed lighting.
Whilst the Government will be setting procedures for the Part L to be properly implemented, it is intended that Local Authorities will have the ability to set higher energy efficiency standards in order to meet their own targets.
When does the interim Part L uplift come into force?
Whilst no commencement date has been set by the Government at the moment, the Part L Regulations are to be regulated for in December 2021 and come into effect in June 2022.
To account for any projects submitted prior to June 2022, these properties will have to have commenced by June 2023 for the current Part L to apply. Any work commenced after June 2023 must comply with the new Part L regardless of when the plans were submitted.
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