Security Needs Assessments in Home Quality Mark

We get a lot of enquiries about providing Security Needs Assessments. Most of those are for BREEAM Hea 06. Did you know that you can also achieve up to 9 credits towards your Home Quality Mark (HQM) score through Security?

The requirements for achieving the HQM credits are very similar to the BREEAM criteria: consultation with Suitably Qualified Security Specialist (SQSS) during or prior to the concept stage, leading to a set of security recommendations. If 50% of the security recommendations are implemented, 4 credits are awarded. If 100% of the security recommendations are implemented, 9 credits are awarded.

We work hard to make sure that our security recommendations are aligned to our clients’ intended design, operation and budget. And of course in a BREEAM Assessment all of the security recommendations have to be implemented in order to achieve the Hea 06 Security credit. So it seems a bit odd that HQM allows for partial implementation. We suggest that you work with a competent security consultant and target all 9 available HQM security credits.

HQM also requires that security information is included in the Home Information. We support this, as it allows residents to include securiy in their considerations. And from the developer’s perspective, if you’re going to employ a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist in the design of your residential development then why not impress that information on potential purchasers?

Security is often required to be considered for residential developments during planning, either in general terms or in relation to a planning requirement for Secured by Design accreditation. SBD is also often a requirement of Affordable Housing operators. We can help to guide you through the SBD requirements and process, as our consultant Nasr Haque is a Secured by Design Licensed Consultant and a former crime prevention adviser for Greater Manchester Police.

To get the best value for money for your residential development, if you’re seeking a Home Quality Mark rating then employing a Suitably Qualified Security Specialist will give you up to 9 HQM credits as well as helping to provide a high quality development and achieving other planning requirements.