Introducing BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential
HQM is evolving into BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential in April 2025. Learn about key improvements and updates in BREEAM Version 6.1
At Encon Associates, we want to keep our clients informed about the latest changes in sustainable building certification. From April 2025, the Home Quality Mark (HQM) will evolve into BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential. This transition strengthens the credibility of residential sustainability certification and streamlines the process for developers and investors.
What’s Changing?
The shift from HQM to BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential brings several key improvements:
- Greater Recognition and Credibility – Aligning with BREEAM enhances trust in residential certification, making compliance demonstration easier and more attractive to investors.
- A More Streamlined Certification Process – The integration simplifies assessment and reduces the need for additional explanations.
- Better Alignment with Regulations and ESG Goals – Supports evolving sustainability regulations, making adoption easier for policymakers and financial institutions.
- A Stronger Role in UK Housing Development – A unified approach ensures consistency and encourages broader adoption across the sector.
What’s New in BREEAM Version 6.1?
The introduction of BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential will coincide with the launch of BREEAM Version 6.1, which includes:
- Updated Lifecycle Assessment and Embodied Carbon Measurement – Better alignment with industry standards and reporting requirements.
- Enhanced Daylighting Criteria – Improvements to daylighting assessments to promote occupant well-being.
- Revised Schedule of Evidence Tables – Clearer requirements to streamline certification and assessment.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
We recently renovated a large early Edwardian home. Part of the planning approval was the need to obtain an excellent rating from BREEAM in our renovation. This covered everything from responsibly sourcing materials to energy efficient heat pumps and solar panels. Not being a developer the whole BREEAM process was very difficult to understand at first. Luckily we had Encon, and in particular, Glenn on our side. They provided invaluable advice and guidance, were reachable all the time and processed everything in a very timely manner. What was important was that we were able to seek their advice and counsel before we made key purchasing decisions. BREEAM is a complicated process and can seem overwhelming if unfamiliar with it. Having Encon on board with us had helped us achieve our goals of having an environmentally excellent renovation of a 1905 house.
