The Deadline For Part L Building Regulations Has Passed

The grace period for Part L building regulations has now passed. It ended on Thursday, the 15th of June, which means that the regulations are now legally enforceable.

The Part L building regulations, which set the standard for carbon emissions and energy efficiency, are applicable to stakeholders in the planning, refurbishment and construction of buildings in England. This includes builders, architects, engineers, developers and other building experts.

Developers and house builders are required to ensure compliance with the Part L building regulations and provide evidence that they are adhering to these standards, which relate to the creation of more energy-efficient and low-carbon homes in the UK. To ensure the correct protocol is being followed, developers and contractors should ensure they take high-quality images at every stage of the building process. This photographic evidence is now an essential aspect of achieving Part L compliance, and, as such, it is vital that developers and contractors communicate this information across all teams whether a project is already underway or yet to commence.

Now that the Part L grace period has ended, it is essential that developers and contractors focus on adapting to sustainable methods of construction. Attention to this should be paid during the early design phases of a project which provide the perfect opportunity to choose sustainable materials that use less energy, insulate and reduce the carbon footprint across the entire lifecycle of a building.

The adoption of a fabric-first strategy for building performance is emphasised in the Part L building regulations. This is an approach that provides a cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions throughout the lifespan of a building, and it centres around enhancing insulation and airtightness.

The Part L building regulations have a far-reaching impact that should not be underestimated. It extends, for example, to manufacturers since their products have a direct impact on the energy efficiency of buildings. As such, manufacturers must embrace this opportunity to focus on sustainability within their product range and to communicate the right product information to developers, engineers and architects in a way that assists them in achieving lower carbon outcomes.

What is Part L Building Regulations?

The Part L building regulations are divided into several documents that cover different areas. Approved Document Part L1A covers the requirements for new homes to be energy efficient. Individuals responsible for building works must ensure the building complies with the requirements set out in this document.

Approved Document Part L1B covers the requirements for renovations and extensions to existing homes to be energy efficient. This document recognises it’s not possible in every case to meet new build standards. However, the regulations stipulate that if a thermal element (e.g. roof, floor or wall) is being replaced, it must comply with Part L1A standard.

Approved Document L2A covers the required standard for energy efficiency during the construction of new commercial buildings, and Approved Document L2B covers existing buildings aside from dwellings.

As such, the Part L building regulations changes do not just apply to large-scale developers or commercial contractors but also to anyone undertaking a renovation, self-build, home improvement project or extension.

Where Building Regulations approval was gained under the old regulations, work must have begun before the 15th of June 2023, when the grace period ended, or the new Part L regulations will apply. This means that you must have applied for a building notice or initial notice prior to the 15th of June 2022 for your project to be considered under the previous regulations and then begun building work before the grace period ended.