subject: Web Guide To The Code For Sustainable Homes. Part 1 [print this page] The following guide to the Code for Sustainable Homes has been created as a useful reference tool to help users familiarise themselves with the contents of the Code and give an overview of the design considerations that must be taken on board in order to build a Code compliant dwelling.
Builders whose home designs and completed work are assessed under the Code will receive a certificate showing the overall sustainability rating for the home, and a breakdown of how that rating has been achieved.
From May 2008 homes that are not assessed will have a nil-rated certificate which is produced by the seller of property. Examples of both a Code certificate and a nil rated certificate showing that a home had not been assessed against the Code. A nil-rated certificate can be downloaded from the HIP and BRE websites.
The Code assigns one or more performance requirements (assessment criteria) to all of the environmental issues. When each performance requirement is achieved, a credit is awarded (except for the four mandatory requirements with no associated credits). The total number of credits available to a Category is the sum of credits available for all the issues within it.
A final Code certificate of compliance is issued after a post-completion check to verify the rating has taken place.
If the mandatory minimum performance standard is met for the four un-credited issues, two further mandatory issues need to be considered. These are agreed to be such important environmental issues that separate government policies are being pursued to mitigate their effects. Credits are awarded for every level of achievement recognised within the Code, and minimum mandatory standards increase with increasing rating levels.
