The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation

Consultation

In December 2023, the government launched a consultation to set out their plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard.

The consultation sets out the Government's plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard. The aim of the 2025 consultation is to build on the 2021 Part L uplift and set more ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and heating in new homes and non-domestic buildings.

Summary of our response

Housing associations broadly welcome the proposals in this consultation and are keen that the government takes the opportunity to do the most to improve carbon efficiency and bring bills down for their residents.

The National Housing Federation would like to see the government commit to:

• Bringing forward “option 1” for the Future Homes Standard: heat pumps and solar PV.
• The longer transition period, “option 2”, to enable the sector and wider industry to properly prepare for and train staff to deliver the new requirements.
• Minimum standards of information provided for consumers, including digital instruction manuals.
• Ensuring the FHS applies to all properties, including those with a material change of use.

Briefing summary

This briefing summarises proposals set out in the government’s The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, published on 13 December 2023.

This briefing covers:

• An introduction to the consultation and our influencing work.
• A summary of the consultation proposals.
• Our view of the consultation proposals.
• Questions for members, consultation questions, and how to share your views.