Like an EPC, but for health
We created the HHC because we believe that everyone has the right to thrive in a healthy home.
The UK is facing a hidden public health crisis. Poor quality homes in England cost the NHS £1.4 billion every year — and cost society an estimated £18.6 billion annually. (BRE)
Poor indoor air quality, overheating, damp and mould, and toxic building materials are quietly damaging our health across all types of housing, with many not realising this until their health issues become chronic, severe or even life-threatening. The Healthy Homes Checklist (HHC) was created in response to this crisis — to help developers, architects, and decision-makers ensure homes support human health at every level.
While homes should be places of safety, comfort, and recovery, for millions of people across the country, the buildings they live in are making them mentally and physically unwell. Mould, damp, poor ventilation, lack of daylight, and overheating are widespread, affecting both renters and homeowners across the private and social housing sector.
The government has a plan to deliver 1.5 million new homes built across the UK, but with a focus on quantity, how much will quality be impacted? We see this moment as a critical opportunity, and responsibility, for developers to deliver genuinely healthy homes that the average British citizen can afford to live and can thrive in. We shouldn’t just be building 1.5 million new homes, but 1.5 million healthy homes. The HHC was created in response to a lack of residential-focused ‘best practice’ guidance to help make this happen. Why is it that you can look up how energy efficient your home is, but you have no way to quickly determine how much of a health risk or benefit it poses to you? Just as we all have EPCs, it's time that we also had HHCs.
Current British minimum standards fall far short of ensuring truly healthy homes, while most voluntary building Certifications are not focused entirely on health and well-being, or are not UK-specific and come with additional fees and high costs. The HHC is a science-backed, practical assessment developed by Ekkist to benchmark and improve the health aspects and impacts of new build homes. It combines best practice guidance from a range of academic and empirical sources. During its development, we consulted with a range of experienced residential design specialists including architects, MEP engineers, acousticians and landscape designers, alongside developers, to ensure its recommendations remain practical and achievable.
By using this framework, developers can not only future-proof their projects but also play a pivotal role in creating and openly reporting on progress towards a healthier, more equitable built environment for everyone. Once the tool has been used for assessment, the development will qualify to feature on the first independent National Registry for Health in Housing.
The Healthy Homes Checklist is for you if you are...
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A developer looking to future-proof your offering
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An architect designing for wellbeing
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A housing provider or local authority aiming to raise standards
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Or simply committed to making health a core part of your project's DNA
What you gain by registering
Inform and inspire
Demonstrate to a new wave of consumers that your homes are designed with their long-term health in mind — backed by science and evidence.
Showcase your Strengths
Harness your existing best practices and highlight them in a credible, structured way.
Identify Opportunities
Use the Checklist to review and refine your approach across 120 touchpoints — from daylight to material health.
Stand out in the Market
Create unique selling points and brand trust in a growing wellness-conscious marketplace.
Add Value at Every Stage
Healthy homes often mean lower operating costs, fewer defects, and higher occupant satisfaction — all of which contribute to long-term value.
Sit on a National Registry
Once you've completed your HHC assessment, your development will be eligible to feature on the national registry of health in housing.