Industry Updates
The latest changes to Building Regulations, EPCs and energy standards, what they mean for your project, and how we help. Every update links to its official source.
Industry Updates: Building Regulations, EPCs and Energy Standards
We are energy assessors and consultants. We produce SAP, SBEM, overheating, water and energy statement reports, and we keep track of the rule changes that affect them so you do not have to. This page sets out the latest changes from government and the bodies behind the methods we use, what each one means for your project, and how we can help. Every update links to its official source.
Last checked: 25 October 2026.
October 2026: building control fees change, and a new route to relax the Part L energy targets
What changed. New building control charging regulations (SI 2026/1094) were made on 14 October 2026, and on 16 October 2026 the government published its response to the consultation on building control charges, notices and certificates. From 6 November 2026, council building control can recover its full costs for more of its work, including enforcement, appeals and some notices, and can charge for advice from the start (councils no longer have to give the first hour free). From 24 March 2027, the day the new Part L starts, building control will be able to relax or dispense with the Part L energy requirements in regulations 25A, 25B and 26: high-efficiency alternative systems, nearly zero-energy buildings and the carbon and primary energy targets. Until now that was not allowed. The government says it is only for cases where building control considers the requirement would not be reasonable in the specific circumstances. For higher-risk buildings the date is 24 September 2027.
Who it affects. Developers, self-builders, architects and agents with a building regulations application in England, in particular conversions and tight sites where meeting the energy targets is hard.
What we do. A relaxation is the exception, not a way round Part L, and the decision is building control's. Our SAP calculations and SBEM calculations show at design stage whether a scheme meets the targets, how far off it is if it does not, and which changes close the gap, such as fabric upgrades, a heat pump or solar PV. That way you speak to building control with the figures in hand.
Source: legislation.gov.uk, The Building (Local Authority Charges and Amendments Relating to Charging) (England) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/1094, made 14 October 2026; GOV.UK, Building charges reform: government response to the consultation, 16 October 2026
July 2026: the draft new London Plan (consultation closed 15 October 2026)
What changed. On 16 July 2026 the Mayor published a draft new London Plan for consultation. Comments could be sent until 5pm on 15 October 2026, and the consultation has now closed. The energy and carbon policies sit in a new chapter on a greener, resilient and healthy city: GHR1 energy efficiency, GHR2 low cost, low carbon heat (major schemes must assess the best heating option for the site), GHR3 whole life-cycle carbon (including embodied carbon targets) and GHR4 heat risk (passive design such as shading and ventilation first; the Mayor says the plan does not ban air conditioning). This is a draft. It still has to go through an independent examination before it can be adopted, so planning applications are assessed against the current London Plan and the GLA's 2022 Energy Assessment Guidance today.
Who it affects. Developers, architects and planning consultants with major schemes in London, and anyone whose scheme is likely to be decided after the new plan is adopted.
What we do. We prepare energy statements to the current London Plan and GLA guidance, with TM59 and TM52 overheating models where the borough asks for them, and we tell you how the draft policies could affect a scheme that will be decided later. More on energy assessments in London.
Source: Mayor of London, Mayor publishes streamlined draft London Plan, 16 July 2026; GLA, Draft London Plan consultation 2026
July 2026: CIBSE publishes a new edition of TM59 for overheating in homes
What changed. CIBSE has published TM59 (2026), a new edition of its design-stage method for assessing overheating risk in homes with dynamic thermal modelling, written with Arup, Loughborough University and Inkling. It brings in a new test for overheating in bedrooms while people sleep, updated guidance on ceiling fans, and a requirement to test every home under unconstrained conditions with 2050s weather data, so passive design such as glazing, shading and opening areas matters more from the start. CIBSE says the 2017 edition is still the one required for compliance with Part O and recommends the 2026 edition as current best practice. This is guidance from CIBSE, not a change to the law.
Who it affects. Developers, architects and housing providers designing new homes, flats, student accommodation, care homes and hotel bedrooms, and London schemes where the council asks for a TM59 model with the energy statement. Expect building control bodies and planning officers to ask which edition a report uses.
What we do. We carry out TM59 dynamic overheating assessments and Part O simplified method checks. We confirm at quote stage which edition your building control body or council expects, model to it and state it clearly in the report. Not sure which route you need? Read Part O simplified method or TM59?
Source: CIBSE, TM59 Overheating risk in dwellings: a design stage methodology (2026); Loughborough University, Updated guidance to help tackle overheating risk in homes, 6 July 2026
June 2026: commercial landlords, EPC B from 2031 for buildings over 1,000 m²
What changed. In an interim response published on 18 June 2026, the government said rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 m² in England and Wales will need EPC B from 2031, where cost effective, with the 7-year payback test and exemptions kept. The planned interim EPC C step in 2027 has been dropped. Buildings under 1,000 m² stay at the current EPC E minimum. Secondary legislation is still needed.
Who it affects. Landlords, owners and investors in offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial buildings over 1,000 m².
What we do. We carry out the commercial EPC and produce an EPC B upgrade plan that shows the cost-effective measures and what each one does to the rating.
Source: GOV.UK, MEES in the non-domestic private rented sector: interim response, 18 June 2026
March 2026: new Part L and Part F rules start on 24 March 2027
What changed. On 24 March 2026 the government published the Future Homes and Buildings Standards: amended Building Regulations and new editions of Approved Document L (Volumes 1 and 2) and Approved Document F (Volume 1). They come into force on 24 March 2027. New dwellings and buildings containing dwellings must have an on-site renewable electricity system (new requirement L3), and there is new guidance on heat pumps, heat networks, commissioning and a Home User Guide for buyers.
Who it affects. Developers, architects and contractors with new homes, flats and non-domestic buildings in England. The current rules still apply if a building notice, initial notice or full plans application goes in before 24 March 2027 and work starts before 24 March 2028. Higher-risk buildings have separate dates, from 24 September 2027.
What we do. We check which rules your project falls under, and run the SAP calculations or SBEM calculations to the right edition. If your notice is close to the deadline, send us your drawings early. What it means for your design: Future Homes Standard and the Home Energy Model.
Source: GOV.UK, Building circular 01/2026, 24 March 2026
February 2026: the Home Energy Model will replace SAP, but not straight away
What changed. The government confirmed in October 2025 that the Home Energy Model (HEM) will replace SAP for rating dwellings. In February 2026 it said HEM will follow the Future Homes Standard after a delay of at least three months, that SAP 10.3 will at first be the only approved method for the new standard, and that SAP and HEM will run side by side for a limited period before HEM takes over.
Who it affects. Anyone needing SAP calculations and EPCs for new dwellings.
What we do. Your design-stage and as-built SAP will use whichever method building control requires on the day. We keep up with the software changes so your reports are accepted. Where things stand now: Home Energy Model and Future Homes Standard SAP calculations.
Source: GOV.UK, Home Energy Model: consultation outcome and update of 10 February 2026
January 2026: rented homes must reach EPC C by 1 October 2030
What changed. The government confirmed that privately rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC C, measured on the new EPC metrics, by 1 October 2030. Landlords will have to spend up to £10,000 per property. Homes rated C or above on an EPC issued before 1 October 2029 count as compliant until that EPC expires. The legislation is expected in 2027.
Who it affects. Landlords and developers of build-to-rent and conversion schemes.
What we do. For conversions and new homes we design to the target from the start with the SAP calculation, so the EPC is not a surprise at completion.
January 2026: EPC reform, new metrics and an EPC needed before marketing
What changed. Domestic EPCs will show four headline metrics: energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness. Non-domestic EPCs keep the carbon-based rating as their single headline. EPCs stay valid for ten years. A valid EPC will be needed when a property is marketed, not up to 28 days after. In March 2026 the government moved the launch of these reforms to the second half of 2027, with the exact date still to be agreed with industry. Changes to DECs and air conditioning inspection reports will follow in a further response later in 2026.
Who it affects. Owners, landlords and agents selling or letting homes and commercial buildings.
What we do. We produce commercial EPCs, DECs and TM44 inspections, and we will update this page when the DEC and TM44 changes are published.
How we use these updates
When a rule changes, we update our reports and the advice on this website. If a change affects a project we are already working on, we tell you what it means and what, if anything, needs to change. We have more than 17 years of experience and have completed more than 8,500 assessments.
Our services: SAP calculations and EPCs, SBEM and BRUKL, overheating assessments, Part G water calculations, energy statements, commercial EPCs, air, sound and ventilation testing.
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