HQM Rebrands to BREEAM UK New Construction: What You Need to Know
The updated scheme brings a more unified and holistic approach to residential sustainability. Join us as we explore what it means for developers, investors, and the future of the built environment — with insights on the key changes from our Sustainability Consultant, Simone Hinzman.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) have officially rebranded the Home Quality Mark (HQM) to BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential (UKNCR). This change marks a crucial shift in the UK residential sustainability landscape, with a more unified, holistic approach that supports developers, investors, and design teams in delivering homes fit for the future.
At CPW, our Sustainability Team is already working with clients to prepare for the transition, helping them understand the practical implications, unlock added value and future-proof their projects.
“As HQM becomes part of the BREEAM family, its familiar branding can give clients greater confidence in a process they already know, helping to ease concerns about assessing residential elements and ultimately supporting more sustainable developments,” shares Simone Hinzman, our Sustainability Consultant.
What’s Changed?
Previously, HQM focused on assessing the quality and sustainability of new homes in the UK. While it addressed key aspects like energy use and comfort, it remained somewhat isolated from the broader BREEAM framework.
The newly launched BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential changes that. It’s a fully integrated assessment that looks at sustainability through three key pillars:
Environmental: including embodied and operational carbon, circular design, biodiversity, and climate resilience
Social: focusing on natural light, indoor air quality, noise, comfort, inclusive design, and access to green spaces
Economic: focusing on affordability, adaptability, and lifecycle value
The scheme uses the familiar BREEAM rating scale (including the corresponding star rating), enabling comparability and alignment with other asset classes in the built environment.
BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential
Integrated into wider BREEAM framework
Broader ESG, lifecycle, and resilience focus
Tailored for green finance and ESG reporting
HQM
Standalone scheme
Emphasis on quality of life
Less aligned with investor needs
“The most significant change is how joined up it now feels,” adds Simone. “Rebranding HQM under the BREEAM umbrella helps clients assess residential schemes using the same framework as their commercial projects, creating consistency across portfolios. It also puts greater focus on embodied carbon and natural daylight, which are key to designing homes that meet modern sustainability expectations.”
What Does This Mean for Developers, Investors & Local Authorities?
For clients across the residential sector, the rebrand presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Projects will need to align with new, more comprehensive criteria but doing so could unlock substantial value:
Access to green finance: The scheme offers a credible route to demonstrating ESG performance, helping secure investment or mortgage incentives.
Planning advantages: Particularly in local authorities prioritising low-carbon or future-proof development.
Competitive differentiation: A certified rating can help developers stand out in a crowded market and respond to growing buyer demand for sustainable homes.
Future-ready design: The criteria emphasises adaptability, climate resilience, and post-occupancy performance, in effect helping protect long-term value.
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"One of the strongest value points is access to green finance. Investors are increasingly looking for measurable ESG outcomes, and this standard provides a clear benchmark. From a developer perspective, it gives residential developments a tangible sustainability rating that can help differentiate them in a competitive market.”
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"We’re already aligning our early-stage sustainability guidance and reporting to reflect the new criteria. That includes feasibility reviews, fabric-first strategies, and identifying key assessment areas where early design decisions have the biggest impact.”
Looking Ahead
As the residential sector moves towards net zero, frameworks like BREEAM UKNCR are set to become essential tools, not just for certification, but for design and investment strategy.
At CPW, our Sustainability Team is ready to support clients through this shift, offering:
Early-stage feasibility and gap analysis
Pre-assessments aligned with the new criteria
Tailored advice on ESG, circularity, and wellbeing
CPD sessions and in-house training for design teams
Our involvement in residential and mixed-use schemes across the UK gives us a clear view of how these changes will play out, and how to maximise the opportunities they bring.
Ready to align your residential projects with the new BREEAM UKNCR standard? Get in touch with our Sustainability Team or explore our Sustainability Services.