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Version 13 of LABC Warranty Technical Manual avaiable now

Written by Phil Thomas | Oct 22, 2025 7:22:11 AM

What’s new in Version 13?

Version 13 brings changes to a number of areas to the Technical Manual.

A key change is the introduction of condensed functional requirements. These requirements have been brought down to five overarching requirements available at the start of the Technical Manual. 

In addition, we have reintroduced performance requirements to every section of the Manual. They're easily identified by their shaded backgrounds at the beginning of a chapter. 

On top of that, Version 13 has two new sections. Section 22: MMC and Section 23: Conversions and retained elements have been elevated to full sections of the Manual rather than appendices. 

Other changes include new guidance for:

  • Ground conditions
  • Waterproofing below ground
  • Foundations
  • Ground floors
  • Drainage
  • External and internal walls
  • External windows and doors
  • Stairs
  • Upper floors
  • Roofs and roof terraces and balconies
  • Chimneys and flues
  • Driveways and paving
  • Heating systems
  • Ventilation and extraction
  • Electrical services
  • Garages
  • Tolerances
  • Appendices B and C

Download a change log with details of these changes to our guidance here.

Download the new Technical Manual in its entirety, or section-by-section, here.

What happens next

This guidance will not apply to sites until January 1, 2026. It will only be applied to quotes for warranty accepted on, or after, that date.

Your site will be beholden to the Technical Manual that was live at the time you accepted your quote. This information is always available to you through the Extranet in case of confusion.

Do you have questions?

If you have a question about how guidance in any relevant edition of the Technical Manual affects your site, your first port of call should be your Risk Management Surveyor.

If you have a more general enquiry about the contents of the latest Technical Manual, or want to offer feedback to the LABC Warranty Technical Team, you’re always welcome to send a message to technical.referrals@labcwarranty.co.uk and our team will be happy to help.