Future Homes Standard 2026: What Every Builder Needs to Do in the Next 12 Months

The Future Homes Standard is now law. Published on 24 March 2026 as The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026, it comes into full force on 24 March 2027 — giving England's construction industry exactly 12 months to prepare.

If you build new homes, develop residential land, or design new-build properties in England, this is the most significant change to building regulations in a generation. Mandatory solar panels on nearly all new homes. Heat pumps in most cases. Gas boilers banned from new-build. Carbon emissions 75–80% lower than 2013 standards.

Most SME builders and developers don't know this is coming. This guide gives you everything you need to act now.

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What Is the Future Homes Standard?

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is the government's overhaul of Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations for England. It was first consulted on in 2019, revised in 2023, and the final regulations were published on 24 March 2026.

The headline requirements:

• Mandatory solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on nearly all new homes
• Heat pumps as the primary heating system in most cases
• Gas boilers banned in new residential construction
• 75–80% reduction in carbon emissions versus 2013 baseline standards
• New Part G (water efficiency): maximum consumption drops from 125 to 105 litres per person per day

These are not optional standards or aspirational targets. From 24 March 2027, any new-build home in England that doesn't meet these standards will not receive Building Regulations approval.

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When Does It Apply — and Is There a Grandfathering Rule?

In force: 24 March 2027 for standard new residential construction.

Higher-risk buildings (as defined under the Building Safety Act 2022): 24 September 2027.

Non-domestic buildings: The Future Buildings Standard runs in parallel and applies to commercial and non-residential new construction. Separate consultation is underway.

The Planning Permission Grandfathering Rule

This is the most important transitional provision for developers with projects in progress.

If your planning application was submitted before 24 March 2027, you may complete the development under the previous building regulations, subject to conditions. The key points:

• The permission must be granted (not just submitted) under the pre-FHS regime
• Construction must proceed within normal planning timescales
• You cannot use a pre-FHS planning permission as a permanent workaround — the grandfathering applies to the specific development, not as a general exemption

Practical implication: If you have sites that are in the planning pipeline but not yet approved, the clock is ticking. Getting planning permission before March 2027 gives you flexibility. Failing to do so means your project must comply with FHS from day one.

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What Changes in Detail

Solar PV — Near Universal Mandate

The FHS introduces solar photovoltaic panels as a near-default requirement for new homes. The technical specification requires that panels are sized to cover a meaningful proportion of the building's energy demand.

This has significant supply chain implications. Current installer capacity across England cannot absorb an overnight shift to universal solar requirement. Builders who start procurement planning now will be ahead of the queue. Those who wait until 2027 will face delays, inflated costs, and potentially missed completions.

What to do now:

• Identify your preferred solar supplier relationships
• Incorporate panel installation into your standard construction programme
• Ensure your site drainage and structural designs accommodate panels (roof pitch, orientation, loading)

Heat Pumps — The Default Heating System

Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) become the default primary heating system under FHS. Ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) are also compliant. Gas boilers are not — they will not meet the carbon targets even with hydrogen-blend gas.

Heat pumps require different design considerations than gas:

• Higher flow temperatures require larger-format radiators or underfloor heating
• Hot water cylinders are required (heat pumps don't provide combi-style instant hot water)
• Larger footprint — plant room or external space for the ASHP unit
• Fabric-first approach — high insulation levels are essential for heat pumps to run efficiently

For volume housebuilders, this means standard house types need a fundamental redesign. Bespoke plot designs need to factor in ASHP space requirements from the briefing stage.

What to do now:

• Partner with a heat pump supplier or subcontractor for training and supply
• Review your standard house type drawings for ASHP compatibility
• Engage a mechanical engineer early in the design process for each project

Part G — Water Efficiency: 125 → 105 Litres Per Day

The water efficiency standard tightens from 125 litres per person per day to 105 litres. This affects:

• Tap flow rates
• WC flush volumes
• Shower flow rates
• Cold water storage design

The 105 litre limit applies across the whole dwelling, so higher-flow fittings in one room must be offset elsewhere. Fitting schedules will need to be reviewed and suppliers confirmed against the new specifications.

What to do now:

• Review your standard fitting schedule against the 105 litre target
• Check your plumbing supplier's compliance catalogue for FHS-compliant products
• Build the water efficiency calculation into your SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) process

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What Builders Need to Do NOW — A 12-Month Action Plan

You have 12 months. Here's how to use them.

Months 1–3 (Now — June 2026): Design and Supply Chain

Immediate actions:

1. Audit your current house type portfolio — identify which types will need redesign for solar and heat pump compliance
2. Engage a Part L specialist early — get an FHS gap analysis on your standard builds
3. Contact solar PV and heat pump suppliers — establish relationships before the market gets tight
4. Review your Part G fitting schedule — update to 105 litre compliant products
5. Check your planning pipeline — which sites need planning permission before March 2027 to use the grandfathering rule?

Months 4–6 (July — September 2026): Programme and Procurement

Programme changes:

• Solar panel installation needs to be built into your standard construction programme (typically roof stage + M&E commission)
• Heat pump commissioning requires lead time and specialist M&E subcontractors
• Hot water cylinder installation changes your ground floor layout and staircase positioning in some house types

Procurement:

• Get quotes now for solar and ASHP. Prices will rise as demand increases.
• Check your standard specification documents and update them for FHS compliance
• Ensure your M&E subcontractors are trained on heat pump installation and commissioning

Months 7–9 (October — December 2026): Training and Process

Site-level training:

• Building Control sign-off for FHS-compliant homes will require evidence of correct installation
• Heat pump commissioning must be done by competent persons — check your subbies' certifications
• SAP calculations (or the new simplified compliance route) need to be updated

Process:

• Update your building regulations application templates to reference FHS
• Ensure your client care packs explain how to operate a heat pump home (occupants often misuse them, leading to complaints)

Months 10–12 (January — March 2027): Final Readiness

• Test your first FHS-compliant build through Building Control sign-off
• Identify and resolve any supplier or installation issues before full rollout
• Update your sales and marketing materials — FHS-compliant homes are a selling point

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What Happens to Projects Started After March 2027?

Any new-build residential project in England where planning permission is obtained after 24 March 2027 must fully comply with FHS. There are no workarounds.

The consequences of non-compliance:

• Building Control will not issue a completion certificate
• You cannot legally sell or let the property
• Your professional indemnity insurance may not cover claims arising from non-compliant builds
• Local authorities have enforcement powers to require remediation

For developers: this is a material risk. If your business model relies on gas-heated, low-spec new builds, the FHS fundamentally changes your cost base. Get the numbers right now, not in 2027.

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How ComplianceAlert Helps Construction Businesses

ComplianceAlert monitors building regulations, HSE updates, and planning law changes in real time — including updates to the Future Homes Standard technical guidance, any amendments to the transitional provisions, and related enforcement activity.

When the detailed technical specifications for FHS are published (expected via Approved Documents L, F, and G updates), you'll get an alert the same day, with a plain-English summary of what's changed.

Not sure where your construction business stands on regulatory compliance? Take our free Compliance Score quiz — 20 questions, instant results: compliancealert.co.uk/compliance-score

Monitor the Future Homes Standard rollout in real time → Start your 7-day free trial — no credit card required.

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Key Takeaways

• The Future Homes Standard was published 24 March 2026 and comes into force 24 March 2027
• Nearly all new homes in England will require solar PV panels and heat pumps — gas boilers are out
• Carbon emissions target: 75–80% lower than 2013 standards
• Water efficiency: tightens to 105 litres/person/day (from 125)
• Grandfathering rule: planning permission obtained before March 2027 allows completion under old rules
• Higher-risk buildings (Building Safety Act): deadline extended to 24 September 2027
• Start supply chain conversations now — solar and heat pump capacity will be constrained

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Future Homes Standard apply to conversions and extensions? FHS applies to new-build dwellings. Conversions and extensions are subject to different provisions under the Building Regulations. However, related standards for existing homes are under separate consultation.

Can I still build gas-heated homes if planning permission was granted before March 2027? You may be able to complete under previous building regulations if planning permission was granted before the FHS in-force date, subject to the transitional provisions. Get specific advice from your Building Control body on your particular project.

What is the Future Buildings Standard? The Future Buildings Standard is the non-domestic equivalent of FHS, covering commercial, industrial, and other non-residential new-build. It runs alongside FHS on a parallel timeline.

Do heat pumps work in all climates in England? Modern air-source heat pumps operate effectively at outdoor temperatures as low as -15°C and are suitable for the English climate. Efficiency (COP) is higher in milder conditions, which is why good insulation (fabric-first) is essential.

Where can I find the official Future Homes Standard documentation? The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 are available on legislation.gov.uk. The associated Approved Documents will be published by MHCLG.

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Published 30 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard was published as The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 on 24 March 2026.

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