Today, USGBC announced the launch of LEED v4.1 Residential. This updated rating system combines the familiar and relevant aspects from four existing LEED rating systems previously used by residential projects (Single Family and Lowrise Homes, Multifamily Midrise, Core and Shell and New Construction) to deliver a single suite that includes:

LEED v4.1 Residential: New Single Family Homes,
LEED v4.1 Residential: New Multifamily Homes, and
LEED v4.1 Residential: New Multifamily Homes Core and Shell.

Multifamily projects around the world have often had dilemmas when it comes to LEED. Should they use the requirements for midrise, highrise or new construction? Which rating system is the best choice for their project? The updated rating system is designed to address this and make the decision to implement LEED much easier for the residential market.

USGBC believes that all buildings should be green buildings—especially homes—because LEED-certified homes are built to be healthier, more efficient and more cost-effective. LEED-certified homes enhance the health and well-being of their occupants by providing clean indoor air and incorporating safe building materials to ensure comfort and safety. They are designed to save critical resources and use less energy and water, and therefore, they can lower utility bills each month and provide other financial benefits. LEED v4.1 Residential is designed to revitalize our approach to the housing market.

Through a streamlined and simple approach, LEED credits such as health and well-being, improved comfort, energy and water savings, and green and healthy materials, which have a higher value to homeowners and residents, are also prioritized. For example, we added more points to the following credits:

EQ credit Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies
MR credit Environmentally Preferable Products
EQ credit Low Emitting Products
EA credit Annual Energy Use (energy savings over a baseline)
WE credit Indoor Water Use

Options have also been added to existing LEED credits that lower both hard and soft costs to achieve certification. And recognizing the unique circumstances of international projects, LEED v4.1 Residential is also now more applicable this key market which continue to grow. We have further localized the rating system to meet the unique needs of different markets. For example, the rating system now applies to homes with various ventilation strategies (mechanical or natural).

With all these changes, LEED v4.1 Residential is something new but familiar – and simple, straightforward and more inclusive.

Meet the LEED v4.1 Residential rating systems

LEED v4.1 Residential

Getting started

LEED v4.1 Residential: Single Family Homes is now available for registration in LEED Online.
LEED v4.1 Residential: Multifamily Homes is now available for registration in LEED Online for all countries except the United States and Canada.
1. Projects in the United States and Canada can continue to use the LEED v4 rating systems available to residential projects and substitute credits from the LEED v4.1 Residential rating systems to benefit from the rating system’s new features. Learn more.
LEED v4.1 Residential: Multifamily Homes Core and Shell is now available for registration in LEED Online for all countries except the United States and Canada.
1. Projects in the United States and Canada can substitute credits from the LEED v4.1 Residential rating systems to benefit from the rating systems’ new features. Learn more.
All LEED v4.1 Residential rating systems require project teams to contract with a Green Rater before construction begins. The Green Rater performs on-site verification of all required LEED measures in site visits at both mid construction and final construction. They will also help guide you through the LEED Residential process and answer any questions along the way. It is essential to contact the Green Rater as early as possible in the design stage to ensure a successful certification from the start.

LEED v4.1 Residential: Simplified and streamlined