HQM evolves to BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential

  • Created:
  • Reference: KBCN1727
The benefits 

BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential (UKNCR) V6.1 supersedes HQM V6 as the current BREEAM assessment for new homes in the UK.  

UKNCR retains the core technical robustness and quality focus of HQM while enhancing its alignment with the wider BREEAM framework. This update ensures that residential projects benefit from an integrated, science-based approach to sustainability that meets the evolving demands of the housing sector.  

This brings several key improvements: 

  • Greater recognition and credibility – integrating with BREEAM strengthens trust in residential certification, making it easier to demonstrate compliance and attract investment. 
  • More streamlined certification – aligning with BREEAM simplifies the process for developers, assessors and investors, reducing the need for additional explanations. 
  • Enhanced policy and market alignment – supports evolving sustainability regulations and ESG expectations, ensuring easier adoption by authorities and financial institutions. 
  • Stronger influence in UK housing development – a unified certification approach increases awareness and ensures consistency across the sector.  
The certificate 

UKNCR certificate’s format and branding will align with other BREEAM New Construction certificates.  

Each home will receive a certificate indicating:  

  • An overall BREEAM rating and corresponding star rating 
  • Individual indicator scores for: Cost, Wellbeing, and Environment 

The percentage scores required to achieve each rating level remain the same as in HQM V6.  

For further information, please see our FAQs.  

The technical manual and assessment tools 

UKNCR will have a new look across its: 

  • Technical manual 
  • Online assessment tool 
  • Some spreadsheet tools 

However, the following will remain consistent with HQM V6:  

  • The technical manual layout 
  • The technical criteria (aside from those listed in the Summary of Changes) 
  • The scoring system, and score required to achieve each of the levels 
  • Spreadsheet tools that do not require technical change 

Please refer to BREEAM Projects for access to all UKNCR V6.1 resources.