Refurbishment and Fit Out / RFO Commercial V7 /
00 - General
Information correct as of 17thJuly 2026. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.
Asset classification – co-living developments - KBCN1568
This guidance is intended as a general reference only. Each co-living development will include a different combination of residential accommodation and managed communal spaces. Assessors must apply professional judgement to determine the most appropriate asset classification.
Typical characteristics of co-living developments
Developments within these sectors typically include the following characteristics:
- Institutional ownership and professional management
Purpose built for rental as the primary function, rather than individual sale, and owned by a single entity with professional property management in place.
- Self-contained, functional units
Residential apartments with private kitchens and bathrooms.
- Managed communal facilities
Extensive shared amenities, such as fitness suites, co-working areas, communal terraces, and secure bicycle storage.
- Flexible, long-term tenancy
Tenancy agreements are generally designed for longer term occupation, typically six to twelve months.
Classification guidance
The following classifications are recommended:
| Assessment Type |
Recommended Classification |
| International New Construction, International Refurbishment and Fit-Out and Refurbishment and Fit Out Commercial V7 |
Residential institutions- long term Stay* |
| BREEAM USA In Use (BIU) |
Residential |
*Assessors should also consider how the asset is classified under relevant local building regulations to support the interpretation of Residential Institution.
16 July 2026 - Applicability clarified and wording updated
17-June-2026 - Guidance revised and updated for clarity
BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out V 7 – FAQs - KBCN1891
The FAQ webpage provides clarification and guidance on aspects of BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Commercial Version 7 (RFO V7). It is intended to address questions and highlight key changes from previous versions.
Further guidance is provided within the published technical manual, and this will be supplemented by Knowledge Base Compliance Notes (KBCNs).
To view the list of FAQs, please refer to the
RFO Version 7 FAQs webpage
GN06 Indoor air quality plans - KBCN0618
Latest version: v2.3, July 2026
Guidance Note 6 (GN06) provides guidance to assessors and project teams regarding the content and rigour of an Indoor Air Quality Plan (IAQP) as required by the indoor air quality criteria in BREEAM New Construction and BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out.
It should not be interpreted as BREEAM criteria. It is intended to provide assessors and project teams with further, flexible information and guidance regarding the rigour, content, and tasks of an IAQP.
Download Guidance Note 6
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
15-Jul-2026 - Updated version released (v2.3)
GN20 Assessing mixed-use and multiple buildings – BREEAM V7 - KBCN0717
Latest version: v1.1, July 2026
Guidance Note 20 (GN20) provides information to help BREEAM Assessors formulate an assessment strategy for mixed-use developments, assets that include different levels of fit out, and for multiple buildings or units on the same site using BREEAM V7.
This guidance note only applies to BREEAM V7. There is a separate guidance note for earlier versions of BREEAM NC and RFO (see
Guidance Note 10).
Download Guidance Note 20
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
15-Jul-2026 - Updated version released (v1.1)
GN22 Recognised schemes for emissions from construction products - KBCN0719
Latest version: v3.2, July 2026
Within the Health and Wellbeing category of several BREEAM schemes, credits are awarded for specifying materials that minimise emissions from building products of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The criteria involve meeting emission level performance requirements in accordance with compliant performance and testing standards.
Guidance Note 22 (GN22) lists schemes that show equivalent or better performance than the current BREEAM and HQM criteria and therefore can be used to demonstrate compliance with the criteria. This document should be read in conjunction with the relevant assessment issue guidance provided in the appropriate BREEAM or HQM technical manual.
The guidance note contains two tables:
- Table 1 is for use with BREEAM schemes that were first released before December 2015.
- Table 2 is for use with BREEAM (and HQM) schemes that were first released from December 2015 onwards (post-November 2015).
Download Guidance Note 22
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
Applying for inclusion in GN22
The list of approved schemes is based on those which have made a successful application to BREEAM. As such, there may be other operational schemes that could potentially be recognised.
To be considered for inclusion, the scheme operator must complete an application form, providing full details of the scheme, and submit this to BRE Global for technical approval. A flat rate charge is payable to cover the costs of administering and reviewing the application. GN22 will be updated following the approval of any schemes via this process.
The application form (BF1648) provides full details of the application process, and licensed BREEAM assessors can request a copy by submitting a technical query using the
webform. Other parties may request a copy by contacting:
breeam@bregroup.com
15-Jul-2026 - Release of GN22 3.2
25-Mar-2026 - Release of GN22 3.1
30-Oct-2025 - Applicable to HQM V6 and UKNCR V6.1
25-Sep-2025 - Updated to provide details of the approval process and title updated.
30-Jan-2025 - Release of GN22 3.0
30-Sep-2024 - Release of GN22 2.9
01-Feb-2024 - Release of GN22 2.8
31-Jan-2023 - Release of GN22 2.7
10-Oct-2022 - This KBCN merged with KBCN0646. Title amended to align with standard KBCN naming format for clarity and consistency. Made applicable to UK and International NC V6.
25-Jan-2019 - Link to Guidance Note updated
12-Mar-2018 - Link to Guidance Note updated
GN24 Demonstrating compliance with Mat 03 in BREEAM - KBCN0721
Latest version: v1.2, July 2026
Guidance Note 24 (GN24) provides additional guidance to assessors and specifiers on demonstrating compliance with the 'Measuring responsible sourcing' criteria in BREEAM (typically in Mat 03). It should be read in conjunction with the Technical Manual for the relevant assessment scheme. It covers:
- How to deal with constituent products/materials including those with certification that is different from the overall product.
- The precision required in estimating quantities:
- For the cut-off volume
- Of products/materials in the building (Route 2 only)
- Of different material categories in products/materials.
- An example Route 2 calculation.
- ‘Broken chain’ situations.
- How to treat building services.
Download Guidance Note 24
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
15-Jul-2026 - Updated version released (v1.2)
GN50 Natural light calculation methodology for Hea 01 in BREEAM V7 - KBCN1683
Latest version: v1.0, July 2026
Guidance Note 50 (GN50) describes the calculation methodologies that underpin the natural light issue (Hea 01) within BREEAM V7. Guidance is provided for methodologies relating to the daylight criteria and the evaluation of glare from daylight criteria. All the calculation methods outlined in the technical manual for these criteria are described in this guidance note.
Download Guidance Note 50
View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)
15-Jul-2026 - Updated version released (v1.0)
Version of ASL to submit to QA - KBCN1892
The version of the ASL that was current at the time of registration, or a more recent version, must be submitted. An older version must not be used. For a post-construction assessment, the registration date for the design stage of the assessment must be considered.
Please indicate the version of the ASL that has been submitted to QA, either in the name of the document or in the assessment report.
Please be aware that the upload dates (stated beneath each ASL file on BREEAM Projects) may differ from those above. Please ensure you refer to the above version date.
Information correct as of 17thJuly 2026. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.