Code for Sustainable Homes
What is the Code for Sustainable Homes?
The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced by the Government in May 2008 and is a key part of its policy to ensure that all new homes built from 2016 will be 'zero carbon'.
The Code was created to give the home buyer a clear idea of the environmental standard of a building. It is not currently compulsory for every new home to be built to the Code, but every new home in England should have a rating against it. Information on this rating is provided to prospective purchasers.
The Code assesses the sustainability of a building in nine categories:
- Energy
- Water
- Materials
- Surface Water Run-off
- Waste
- Pollution
- Health & Well-being
- Management
- Ecology
The combined score is translated in to a Code Star rating of 1-6.
A house builder can have a property assessed against the Code at the design or post-construction stage, and have its rating featured in a certificate included in the Home Information Pack (HIP).
The builder can instead choose to build to current Building Regulations standards, not have it assessed against the Code and provide a nil-rated certificate in the Pack.
