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
Encon Associates were employed by ourselves as BREEAM Assessor and Approved Professional on 3 contracts running concurrently in Sheffield. At all times through the project they were able to provide clear detailed advice on requirements to ourselves and our supply chain, and were able to offer additional services where required (including compiling the Tenant Green Guide Specification).
The use of the IES TaP for BREEAM portal has proved a useful tool in tracking the BREEAM process, providing us as a main contractor a simple and user friendly way to co-ordinate the BREEAM evidence requirements with the designers and our supply chain.
The team have promptly assessed evidence when received and provided detailed feedback to ensure any compliance issues were understood – we would have no hesitation in employing Encon Associates on our future BREEAM schemes.
