The housing sector is undergoing transformative changes, with housing associations facing unprecedented shifts in housing legislation and regulatory frameworks in 2025. These changes bring both challenges and opportunities, urging housing leaders to develop resilience, rethink processes, and embrace organizational transformation.
At AKD Solutions, we believe these challenges offer a pivotal moment to introduce new housing solutions and reshape the future of housing. It won’t come from iterating what is conventional, it must come through disruption. Our mission is to empower leaders to become architects of change rather than victims of it.
A new focus on the customer
Many of the legislative reforms around housing are focussed on improving the experience for tenants – giving them more rights and protections, making it easier for them to raise complaints, and increasing the burden of responsibility on landlords for addressing problems and improving housing standards.
In short, if you’re a Housing Association, you don’t have tenants any longer. You have customers.
And this new focus on the customer experience is crucial.
It’s a paradigm shift for many HAs and private landlords, demanding a brand new mindset across the organisation, from call centres to IT departments. Think back around 30 years to where Health and Social Care used to be, and you’ll get an idea of the challenge ahead. (Arguably, Health Care has gone backwards in recent years, but that’s a whole different topic.)
The point is that it IS possible to change mindset and transform culture into one with a customer focus.
At AKD Solutions, we know it’s possible, because we’ve helped many clients in Health Care, Social Care and Housing to develop and implement a customer experience culture.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE SOCIAL HOUSING SECTOR?
1. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023
Enacted in July 2023, this landmark legislation strengthens the regulatory framework for social housing providers. Key provisions include:
Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: empowering the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) to conduct regular inspections of large providers and enforce unlimited fines for non-compliance.
Awaab’s Law: mandating strict timeframes for addressing health hazards like damp and mould, ensuring prompt remedial action to safeguard health.
Professional Standards: introducing mandatory qualifications for senior housing managers to elevate professionalism within the sector.
2. The Future Social Housing Rent Policy
Currently in consultation, the proposed new rent policy (to come into effect from April 2026) will allow annual rent increases of up to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1%. This policy aims to provide financial stability for housing associations, enabling sustained investment in housing stock and services.
3. The Renters’ Rights Bill 2024
Introduced in September 2024, this bill aims to provide renters with greater security and stability, ensuring they can build lasting lives within their communities. Key elements include:
- Abolition of ‘No-Fault’ Evictions: Ending Section 21 evictions to enhance tenant security.
- Standardized Tenancy Agreements: Creating clarity and fairness for renters and landlords alike.
- Refined Possession Criteria: Balancing the needs of landlords with the rights of renters.
4. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
This act introduces measures to speed up planning processes and support housing development, including planning reforms aimed at accelerating housing projects by streamlining planning approvals.
The Act also implements a new levy to fund local infrastructure, which may influence the financial planning of housing projects.
5. Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024
This legislation simplifies the process for leaseholders to extend leases or purchase freeholds, impacting housing associations with leasehold properties. It standardises lease terms to 990 years and reduces ground rents to a nominal amount.
6. Regulatory Standards and Sustainability
From April 2024, new consumer standards set by the RSH require all social landlords including housing associations and councils to:
- Maintain high safety standards across all properties.
- Streamline complaint-handling processes to respond more effectively to customer concerns.
- Engage openly with tenants to foster transparency and trust.
- Prioritize sustainability by adhering to energy performance standards and supporting the UK’s environmental goals.
Each of these significant legislative and regulatory changes underscores a commitment to improving housing quality, elevating renters’ rights, and boosting operational efficiency within the social housing sector. Housing associations must stay informed and adapt to these evolving requirements to continue delivering exceptional service to their communities.
If you’d like our help to maximise the potential of the upcoming changes into transformative opportunities, get in touch.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Each of these changes reflects a broader commitment to improving housing quality, advancing renters’ rights, and increasing operational efficiency. By staying informed and proactive, housing associations can leverage these developments as opportunities to strengthen relationships with their customers, improve housing solutions and increase organisational performance.
At AKD Solutions, we specialize in equipping organizations to thrive amidst change. If you’re ready to embrace 2025’s challenges and drive positive transformation in your community, let’s start the conversation.
