On this page
- What is the Future Homes Standard?
- When does the Future Homes Standard apply?
- How do the transitional arrangements work?
- What does the Future Homes Standard require?
- What does it mean for homebuyers?
- What does it mean for landowners and development land?
- Does the Future Homes Standard apply to conversions?
- Designing beyond the minimum
- Discuss a residential opportunity
The Future Homes Standard is the new energy and carbon standard for new homes in England, set through changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations. It requires new homes to use low carbon heating such as heat pumps, introduces solar panels on most new homes and raises the standard of the building fabric. The government published the standard on 24 March 2026 and it comes into force on 24 March 2027.
At Hattelle Homes, energy conscious design is one of the principles we build around. Homes should be designed to reduce energy demand from the start, not have technology added to them at the end. The Future Homes Standard moves the whole industry in that direction. This guide explains what it requires, when it applies and what it means for homebuyers, landowners and new residential schemes.
What is the Future Homes Standard?
The Future Homes Standard sets the minimum energy efficiency and carbon performance for new homes built in England. It was introduced alongside the Future Buildings Standard, which applies to new non domestic buildings.
The government states that homes built to the Future Homes Standard will, on average, emit at least 75% less carbon than homes built to the 2013 standards. They are described as zero carbon ready. As the electricity grid moves away from fossil fuels, these homes will become zero carbon in operation without needing further work.
The standard applies in England. Wales and Scotland set their own building regulations and standards.
When does the Future Homes Standard apply?
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Standard published | 24 March 2026 |
| Comes into force for most new homes | 24 March 2027 |
| Comes into force for higher risk buildings | 24 September 2027 |
| End of transitional period | 24 March 2028 |
Standard published
- Date
- 24 March 2026
Comes into force for most new homes
- Date
- 24 March 2027
Comes into force for higher risk buildings
- Date
- 24 September 2027
End of transitional period
- Date
- 24 March 2028
Higher risk buildings include residential buildings of at least 18 metres or seven storeys with at least two homes. They have a later start date because building control approval for them runs through the Building Safety Regulator.
How do the transitional arrangements work?
A home can still be built to the previous standards where both of the following apply:
- 1A building notice, initial notice or full plans application was submitted to building control before the Future Homes Standard came into force
- 2The sub surface structure of that home, including the foundations and ground floor structure, is complete by 24 March 2028
The transitional protection applies home by home, not site by site. On a large site built out over several years, early plots may be built to the previous standards while later plots must meet the Future Homes Standard. Developers need to plan build sequences and specifications with that in mind.
What does the Future Homes Standard require?
Low carbon heating
New homes must use low carbon heating for space heating and hot water. In practice this means heat pumps for most homes. New homes built to the standard will not have gas boilers.
Solar panels
The standard introduces a requirement for on site renewable electricity generation, usually met with solar panels. The government expects solar panels on the majority of new homes. Higher risk buildings are exempt from the mandatory solar requirement. There is also flexibility where orientation or shading limits what can be installed.
Better building fabric
Walls, floors, roofs, windows and doors must meet higher thermal standards than under the 2021 regulations. Better airtightness goes hand in hand with well designed ventilation, so fresh air is provided without wasting heat.
A new way of measuring performance
Compliance is currently demonstrated using SAP 10.3. The government intends the new Home Energy Model to replace SAP, with a period of running both methods side by side before the Home Energy Model becomes the only route.
What does it mean for homebuyers?
For people buying a new home, the Future Homes Standard should mean:
- Lower energy use for heating and hot water
- Less exposure to fossil fuel price rises
- Homes that do not need a boiler replacement or retrofit to reach net zero
- Better thermal comfort through higher fabric standards
The government has said the standard could save households hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills. Actual savings depend on the home, how it is used and energy prices.
What does it mean for landowners and development land?
The standard affects the cost of building new homes, which in turn affects what a developer can pay for land. Heat pumps, solar panels, improved fabric and ventilation all add to build costs. Development land is valued on a residual basis, so higher build costs reduce the land value unless sales values rise to match.
For landowners, it is worth understanding that:
- Offers for land will increasingly reflect Future Homes Standard build costs
- Sites with planning permission but not yet started may be affected by the transitional deadline
- Good orientation for solar panels and space for heat pump equipment are becoming part of good site layout
Our guide to selling land for residential development explains how land value is worked out in more detail.
Does the Future Homes Standard apply to conversions?
The Future Homes Standard applies to new homes. Where an existing building is converted into homes, the conversion is a material change of use under the Building Regulations and must meet the energy efficiency requirements for work to existing buildings, which are set differently.
Conversion remains one of the most carbon efficient ways to create new homes because the existing structure is retained. Our guide to Class MA permitted development covers the planning route for converting commercial buildings.
Designing beyond the minimum
The Future Homes Standard sets a minimum. Good residential design can go further by:
- Orienting homes to make the most of daylight and solar gain
- Keeping building forms simple to reduce heat loss
- Designing heat pumps, cylinders and ventilation in from the start rather than fitting them around the layout
- Choosing materials with lower embodied carbon where they suit the setting
- Considering landscape, drainage and biodiversity as part of the energy strategy, not separately
At Hattelle Homes we believe energy conscious homes should also be comfortable, practical and pleasant to live in. The best schemes treat efficiency as part of good design rather than a compliance exercise.
Discuss a residential opportunity
Hattelle Homes works in partnership with Matthews & Roberts on selected residential opportunities, bringing development, engineering and project delivery capability together with a focus on thoughtful homes and enduring places.
We welcome introductions from landowners, property owners, agents, investors and development partners.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Future Homes Standard come into force?
The government published the Future Homes Standard on 24 March 2026. It comes into force in England on 24 March 2027 for most new homes and on 24 September 2027 for higher risk buildings such as taller apartment blocks. A 12 month transitional period applies to homes that were already registered with building control before the standard came into force.
Will new homes still have gas boilers under the Future Homes Standard?
No. The Future Homes Standard requires low carbon heating, which in practice means heat pumps for most new homes. New homes built to the standard will not be fitted with gas boilers for heating and hot water.
Do all new homes need solar panels under the Future Homes Standard?
Solar panels will be installed on the majority of new homes. The standard introduces a requirement for on site renewable electricity generation, usually met with solar panels. Higher risk buildings are exempt from the mandatory solar requirement and there is flexibility where orientation or shading limits what can be installed.
How much carbon will Future Homes Standard homes save?
The government states that new homes built to the Future Homes Standard will, on average, emit at least 75% less carbon than homes built to the 2013 standards. They are described as zero carbon ready, meaning they will become zero carbon as the electricity grid decarbonises without needing further work.
How do the Future Homes Standard transitional arrangements work?
A home can be built to the previous standards if a building notice, initial notice or full plans application was submitted before the Future Homes Standard came into force and the foundations and ground floor structure of that home are complete by 24 March 2028. The protection applies home by home, not across a whole site, so later plots on a large site may need to meet the new standard.
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