Housing green paper backs making eco-code for new properties a legal requirement

The Government is proposing to make the new Code for Sustainable Homes a legal requirement for new houses.

low-energy house

It has started a consultation on the plan, which forms part of yesterday’s housing green paper.

A consultation document called The Future of the Code for Sustainable Homes says: “We believe that introducing a requirement to have a rating against the Code will have significant benefits. It will help purchasers of new homes make informed decisions and encourage a greater demand for more sustainable new homes.”

The document also seeks views from the industry on:

  • The connection between the Code and Energy Performance Certificates
  • Using Home Information Packs (Hips) as the mechanism for making the Code rating available to prospective buyers.
  • When the Government should update the Code
  • The future content of the Code, including introducing minimum standards for Lifetime Homes.