Frequently Asked Questions from Habitat Banks
As part of our Habitat Bank Onboarding Series, we’ve put together answers to the questions we hear most often from our Habitat Bank partners. This blog is a written companion to the video below, giving you a quick reference guide to how we work at Biodiversity Units UK.
If there’s anything you’d like to explore further, you can always book a call with our team here and speak to one of our specialists.
If you would like to work with us, read Habitat Bank Onboarding Explainer: A Simple 7-Step Guide
How do Biodiversity Units UK get paid?
We operate on a commission-only model. That means:
We only receive a referral fee once you’ve been paid.
You pay nothing upfront and carry no ongoing overhead with us.
We don’t take commission on refundable deposits, only on funds that have landed in your account.
Do you charge Developers anything on top?
Developers sometimes choose to pay a BNG certainty fee for additional support such as:
Completing their Biodiversity Gain Plan
Working with LPAs
Advisory services beyond sourcing units
This is optional and sits alongside the referral fee we receive from Habitat Banks.
What if you bring us a lead we’re already working with?
This is a common concern, and it’s addressed in our referral agreement. The process is:
We vet each inquiry and pass on all key details (DEFRA metric, ecology reports, planning dates, client details etc.).
You check your records and confirm within three days if you’re already working with that developer.
If you are, you keep the lead. If not, we proceed you instruct us to represent you.
How do we onboard our inventory?
Once you’ve signed our referral agreement, our operations team will set you up on our digital inventory system. Here you can:
Upload unit types, pricing, and availability
Set your own discounting rules (for adjoining units or spatial risk multiplier adjustments)
Update pricing anytime via your dashboard
This ensures we can respond quickly to developer needs while keeping you in full control.
What is “Matched Pricing”?
Matched pricing is one of our core positioning values. We ask Habitat Banks to keep the same RRP across the board so that developers don’t receive different initial quotes from different channels.
You set the price.
We charge a low-margin referral fee within that price.
Developers get transparency, and you get more volume and faster results.
Do we need to be on the Gain Site Register before working with you?
Not necessarily. We can start talking early and preparing your units for market.
We recommend waiting until you have a Conservation Covenant or Section 106 in place.
From there, we can market units with clear timelines for registration.
We won’t market units pre-Covenant or pre-S106 as it creates too much risk for developers.
Can we use our own legal agreements?
Yes. You’ll transact directly with the developer using your own agreements. If you don’t yet have them, we can share example documents to get you started.
How are prices set?
Pricing is ultimately up to you. We’ll:
Share insights from our quarterly BNG Pricing Report
Provide a sense-check of your pricing strategy
Flag where adjustments may be useful
But the final decision is always yours, and you can adjust over time.
What’s the process for selling units?
We vet the developer’s requirements.
We shortlist suitable Habitat Banks based on location, unit types, and availability.
We request your quote and create a pricing presentation for the developer (anonymised at first).
The developer chooses an option. Sometimes, you may be invited to re-bid once if multiple suppliers are shortlisted.
We introduce you to the client, and you transact directly.
Can we deal directly with the client?
Yes, at the right stage. After the pricing presentation, we introduce you directly and remain in the loop to ensure smooth delivery.
How do you act impartially?
We represent around 85% of the market, so impartiality is essential.
We don’t favour one Habitat Bank over another.
If developers shortlist multiple banks, you’ll each get one chance to submit a best-and-final bid.
Our ethical policy sets this out clearly.
Why don’t you work exclusively with Habitat Banks?
We tried exclusivity in the early days, but it wasn’t the right model. Non-exclusive relationships mean:
You can work with others, but we’re confident you’ll choose us repeatedly.
We can demonstrate our value through results, not restrictions.
Why is your commission 5%?
The BNG market is complex, with deals often taking months (sometimes years) to complete.
5% covers our marketing, operations, and deal management.
We only get paid when you get paid.
Lower-margin models don’t work in this market.
How do you have the largest supply network?
We work with 85–90% of the market, from independents to regionals, as well as major players like Nattergal, Environment Bank and Green Earth Group.
This breadth allows us to meet developer needs locally, which is essential for BNG compliance.
How will you keep us updated on deals?
We track everything through our CRM system.
Deals are categorised as won, lost, or in progress.
Monthly reports give you a full overview of your pipeline and likelihood of success.
This ensures you always know where things stand.
These FAQs are designed to make your onboarding process as smooth as possible. If you’d like to discuss any of these topics in more detail, please book a call with our team here.