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Building Regulations establish legal standards for the design and construction of buildings in the UK, encompassing safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, ventilation, fire protection and more. In England, these are set out in Approved Documents A-S, which each cover specific areas. The most recent major updates took effect in June 2022 and remain in place as of 2025.
Here’s everything you need to know about the current regulations:
As of 2022, stricter standards for thermal insulation and energy performance in new homes and buildings came into effect. As a result, new homes must now produce 31% less carbon emissions than under previous rules. Additionally, existing homes saw tighter rules introduced for replacement windows, doors, and insulation.
The latest regulations detail requirements around better ventilation to support improved airtightness, along with ensuring good indoor air quality in new homes and extensions. Plus, purge ventilation, such as openable windows, and mechanical ventilation systems are now more closely regulated.
Part O of the Building Installations is focused on reducing overheating in new residential buildings, such as houses, flats, care homes and student accommodation. To comply with the latest regulations, designs must limit unwanted solar gain and provide adequate ventilation - typically through measures like smaller glazing areas on south and west façades, external shading and openable windows for natural airflow.
Following Grenfell Tower, ongoing updates were introduced to improve safety in multi-occupancy and high-rise buildings. Current regulations mean there are rules around the materials used on external walls, and means of escape have also been tightened. Under Part B and Regulation 7, there's now a ban on combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings over 18 metres. Additionally, sprinkler systems are now required in new blocks of flats over 11 metres in height.
There’s a continued focus on making homes more accessible and adaptable. New regulations set minimum standards for door widths, level access and bathroom layouts to improve usability for all occupants. Many new homes are now required to meet M4(2) standards, which ensure they’re designed to be easily adapted as residents’ needs change.
Introduced in June 2022, Part S requires that electric vehicle (EV) charging points be installed in all new homes with on-site parking, along with certain non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation. This supports the UK's shift towards more sustainable transport and future-ready infrastructure.
All building work must be signed off by Building Control, either through a local authority or an approved inspector. Failure to meet the regulations could: