DoF updates RSUA on Building Regs and Ratings Policy

14/04/2025

Last month, RSUA wrote to the Minister of Finance (DoF), John O’Dowd, requesting updates on a range of issues within the Department’s remit that impact architecture in Northern Ireland. 

Building Regulations

First among these issues was changes to building regulations, particularly in respect of climate change. This issue was previously subject to a public consultation that closed in December 2023.

The consultation aimed to assist in preparing for significant changes, including:

• Measures that would make conventional boilers using the highest carbon intensity fuels, such as heating oil, impractical in most new buildings.
• Examination of expectations for low-carbon heating solutions, such as heat pumps or heat networks, in new buildings.
• Consideration of broader issues, such as the embodied carbon in building materials and underlying assumptions in assessment methodologies.

In his response to our correspondence, the Minister indicated that a further update on energy efficiency and related aspects of the regulations is scheduled for publication in May 2025, subject to formal clearances.

Following this, he wrote that officials would be happy to meet with RSUA to discuss the matter further.

Ratings Policy

We also requested an update on whether Northern Ireland’s rating policy would be amended to encourage greater reuse of buildings.

The Minister informed us that two rating reviews will commence following the publication of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre study on the Cost of Doing Business.

One of these reviews will focus on the issue of non-domestic vacant rating, and DoF expressed its wish to consider RSUA’s views on this matter.

If you have any questions or comments about this update, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk