The UK social housing sector is in the midst of huge change. Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, the Government is acting with urgency to raise standards, empower tenants, and hold social landlords accountable. As such, 2025 isn’t just another year; it’s a pivotal moment to embrace a new era of proactive, tenant-first housing management.
Let’s break down the key legislative and regulatory changes you need to be aware of to not just comply, but to excel when it comes to meeting social housing standards.
Awaab’s Law: A Game-Changer for Health and Safety
The most significant piece of new legislation coming into force this year is Awaab’s Law, a key part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. This law directly addresses the issue of dangerous hazards like damp and mould by imposing strict, legally binding deadlines on social landlords to investigate and fix problems.
From 27 October 2025, social housing providers will be legally obligated to:
- Acknowledge a complaint about a significant health or safety hazard within 24 hours.
- Investigate the hazard within 14 calendar days.
- Fix the hazard within a reasonable timeframe. For the most serious hazards, this could be as short as 7 days.
Crucially, if a property is deemed unsafe for a tenant to stay in while repairs are carried out, the landlord must provide suitable alternative accommodation at their own expense. This is a monumental shift from the previous “serious detriment” test, which often meant the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) could only act once a tenant’s health was already at risk.
What This Means for You:
- Proactive maintenance is non-negotiable: Waiting for a tenant to report a problem is no longer an option. You must have robust systems in place for regular inspections and proactive maintenance to identify issues like damp before they escalate.
- Data and communication are key: You must accurately log all tenant complaints, track repair timelines, and maintain clear communication with residents about the status of their repairs. This requires a reliable and transparent data management system.
To find out more, check out the guide to navigating Awaab’s Law.
The Reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
The long-awaited reform of the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is also a major focus for 2025. The government is consulting on an updated standard that would extend its reach and place a greater emphasis on the condition of a property’s components rather than their age. The new proposals aim to make social and private rented housing more equal in quality.
Key proposals for the updated DHS include:
- A clear focus on damp and mould elimination.
- Improved thermal comfort and basic security measures.
- Updated minimum repair and condition standards.
Alongside this, there is a push for a new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) for social housing, with a target for all social homes to reach an EPC rating of C or better by 2030.
What This Means for You:
- Condition over age: Your asset management strategy needs to shift. Instead of basing repair schedules on the age of a boiler or roof, you’ll need to focus on its actual condition and performance.
- Strategic investment: Meeting the EPC C target will require significant investment in retrofitting and energy efficiency upgrades. Organisations that plan strategically now, identifying and prioritising the homes most in need of work, will be in a much better position.
Proactive Consumer Regulation: New Inspections and Powers
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 gives the Regulator of Social Housing significant new powers to proactively regulate the sector. This means the RSH can now carry out regular, comprehensive inspections of housing providers and impose unlimited fines on those who fail to meet standards.
The new regulatory framework focuses on four key consumer standards:
- Safety and Quality Standard: Ensuring homes are safe, well-maintained, and of good quality.
- Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard: Requiring landlords to be open with tenants about their performance and to involve them in decision-making.
- Neighbourhood and Community Standard: Making sure landlords manage neighbourhoods effectively and work with other agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour.
- Tenancy Standard: Ensuring fair and transparent allocation and management of tenancies.
The RSH is already conducting proactive inspections and has been clear that it will not hesitate to take action against failing providers.
What This Means for You:
- Transparency is paramount: You need to have clear, accessible data on your performance, including complaints, repairs, and tenant satisfaction. This data must be easy for both tenants and the RSH to access and understand.
- Empower your team: Your staff need to be trained and equipped to handle the new regulatory environment. This includes having a deep understanding of the new standards and being able to demonstrate compliance at all levels of the organisation.
The Future of Social Housing in the UK: Beyond Compliance
While the focus for 2025 is rightly on compliance, the broader vision for social housing goes beyond simply meeting the minimum requirements. The government’s new five-step plan for “A Decade of Renewal” signals a long-term commitment to building more homes and improving quality.
This includes:
- A massive £39 billion investment in the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, with an ambition to build around 300,000 new homes.
- A new Competence and Conduct Standard that will require senior property managers and executives to have specific housing qualifications from October 2026.
- An Access to Information Scheme that will give tenants the right to request information from their landlords in a similar way to Freedom of Information requests.
What This Means for You:
- Long-term strategy is essential: Don’t view these changes as a series of hurdles to clear. See them as a call to action to build a more sustainable, resident-centric business model.
- Invest in your people: The new competence and conduct standards highlight the importance of professionalism in the sector. Investing in staff training and development now will pay dividends in the future, improving service quality and building trust with residents.
How to Stay Ahead: Your Action Plan for 2025
Navigating this new landscape can feel daunting, but with a proactive approach, you can turn these challenges into opportunities.
- Conduct a comprehensive audit: Review your current policies, procedures, and data management systems against the new standards. Identify any gaps in your compliance framework.
- Prioritise health and safety: Make Awaab’s Law a top priority. Ensure your teams are fully trained on the new repair timeframes and that your systems can track and report on every stage of the process.
- Engage with your tenants: The new regulations put the tenant voice front and centre. Establish clear channels for communication and feedback, and use this insight to drive continuous improvement.
- Invest in technology: A modern, integrated data platform is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. You need real-time insight into asset condition, repair status, and tenant feedback to stay compliant and ahead of the curve.
For social housing providers, 2025 is the year to step up. By embracing the new regulations and adopting a truly resident-first approach, you can build a more resilient, trustworthy, and effective organisation.
Ready to elevate your social housing standards?
At ResiSure, we specialise in providing technology that keeps you ahead of the curve. Our in-property sensors continuously monitor key environmental factors like mould, humidity, and temperature, giving you real-time data and actionable insights. This allows you to proactively address potential issues before they escalate into serious disrepair, ensuring compliance with Awaab’s Law and the new regulatory standards.
We don’t just provide data; we provide a solution that helps you create safer, healthier homes for your residents.