DTP are pleased to share our latest DTP Briefing which we prepare on a quarterly basis. The aim of our briefings is to provide useful updates on relevant social housing sector content, highlight where DTP can assist in providing support and advice on any issues arising from these and to publicise recent DTP social media activity, future events, and content. The briefing is shared with our clients, on our website and via our email footer.
As always, we welcome feedback for future content – please email [email protected] with any thoughts or suggestions.
We continue to see substantial activity and change within the sector. We have highlighted below the key areas we feel our clients and mailing list contacts would be most interested to hear about.
Housing (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Government passed the Housing (Scotland) Bill which will reshape the nation’s rented housing sector, introducing a framework for long-term rent controls, alongside provisions on tenant protections, homelessness duties, and the implementation of ‘Awaab’s Law’ to tackle damp and mould.
The Bill places a duty on certain public bodies to prevent people from becoming homeless, known as the ‘Ask and Act.’ Organisations will be required to ask individuals about their housing situation (to identify anyone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless) and then taking appropriate action, for example by making a referral to statutory services or agencies and providing advice and information to help address any housing related issues. The Bill also broadens ministers’ powers to implement Awaab’s Law and a system of long-term rent controls, keeping rents affordable for tenants.
The law will now be implemented across Scotland’s rented sector from March 2026, subject to Parliament’s agreement.
Introduction of Awaab’s Law
The 27 October 2025 was a significant day for the sector with the introduction of the first phase of Awaab’s Law introducing new requirements for social landlords in England and Wales to address emergency hazards and significant damp and mould issues within strict, legally mandated timeframes. As noted above, the Scottish Government has also approved pursuing amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill which will broaden Ministers’ powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation, following engagement with the sector. In Northern Ireland, tenants are covered by existing fitness standards and guidelines.
We are aware that providers have been planning for Awaab’s Law introduction for some time and the requirements of this first phase have been well documented within briefings, sector press, and across social media. We therefore do not repeat these here and instead highlight below links to further reading/briefings which may be of interest.
Housing Ombudsman Service – Awaab’s Law
Chartered Institute of Housing – Awaab’s Law is now in force in the social housing sector
National Housing Federation – What is Awaab’s Law
Public Office (Accountability) Bill – Hillsborough Law
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, more commonly known as the ‘Hillsborough Law’ will create new obligations for Local Authorities and Registered Providers of Social Housing.
The legislation is designed to address the failures exposed in the aftermath of the Hillsborough Disaster and also the Grenfell Tower tragedy and introduces criminal liability for public bodies and transforms how providers must respond to safety incidents and investigations.
The Bill aims to ensure public authorities are more transparent and accountable by creating a legal duty of candour, expanding legal aid for affected families, and establishing new offenses for misleading the public. The law is intended to establish a new standard for public life and prevent future tragedies by promoting a culture of honesty and transparency. The law applies not only to public authorities but also to certain private bodies that deliver public functions, have a health and safety responsibility, or are public sector contractors.
Devonshires are running a webinar on the 11 November – you can sign up to the event here. Inside Housing/Social Housing have also produced detailed briefings about the implications of the new legislation.
Regulator of Social Housing Inspection
We continue to provide pre-inspection support and guidance to Registered Providers of social housing of all types and sizes. We are privileged to have worked with 33 providers in relation to the post April 2024 regulatory inspection process to date, and in doing so we have gained a robust and rounded insight and are able to offer bespoke tailored support to add value to your own activity.
Providing compelling, confident assurance to the regulator about what compliance and positive service outcomes look like for your organisation is vital to a successful inspection. Good governance and comprehensive financial and risk oversight are also core requirements. DTP bring an objective and informed opinion to evaluate your position, whilst seeking to ensure that each client is best prepared for inspection in a meaningful and constructive manner. Our support ranges from one off briefings on the inspection process; document review; coaching support and ad hoc guidance through to full mock inspections. We have had great feedback from our clients. We are always happy to discuss how we might be able to help, so please do get in touch with Angela Lomax [email protected]. You can also read our case studies from inspection support here.
Regulator of Social Housing – Regulatory Casework Review 2025
The Regulator of Social Housing published its Regulatory Casework Review 2025 in September. The report sets out the key themes from its regulation activity in the past year and covers the governance, financial viability and consumer standards. A copy can be found here.
The report provides important learning for all social landlords, not-for profit, for profit, Local Authority providers and Private Registered Providers (large and small).
DTP hosted a webinar with Devonshires on the 6 October 2025 to explore the Regulator’s findings and sharing practical advice to strengthen approaches to compliance with the consumer standards, governance and risk management. If you would like to watch a recording of the session, please contact [email protected]
Renters Rights Act
The Renters Rights Act became law after it received Royal Assent on the 27 October 2025. The legislation will bring about significant change for the private rented sector, including a ban on Section 21 no-fault evictions.
The legislation also includes the extension of the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector along with abolishing blanket bans on tenants with children and/or in receipt of welfare benefits.
Further information can be found here.
Regulator of Social Housing Fire Safety Remediation Report Q1 2025/26
The regulator also published its latest survey of fire safety of 11 metre plus buildings in the social housing sector. A copy of the full report can be found here.
The Autumn Statement
The social housing sector is eagerly awaiting the Autumn Statement for news on a range of funding measures to support the sector. DTP will be issuing its thoughts on the Statement shortly after its publication – keep a watch on our social media channels and we will also share our thoughts with our mailing list contacts.
The National Housing Federation has published its ask of the Government here.
2025 UK Housing Review – Autumn Briefing Paper
The Chartered Institute of Housing and University of Glasgow has published the 2025 UK Housing Review Autumn Briefing Paper. A copy can be found here.
At DTP, we have a values based approach to our work, providing expert advice in a people focussed way, which delivers tailored solutions. We help our clients improve how they are governed, managed and financed. Our reputation is built on delivering solutions that work in practice and we want to stand out from the competition by blending deep market insight with actionable knowledge, all to achieve outstanding outcomes for your organisation.
Here are a few of examples of feedback from our recent client surveys:
‘Due to the detailed approach, and support for improvement, we are confidently moving to a better, more assured position with regulatory compliance’
‘DTP helped us present ourselves in the best way to get a positive outcome, and provided non-housing colleagues with invaluable advice’
‘XXX as an individual was a standout representative for DTP. Open, fair and bags of integrity.’
We sometimes get asked about the range of services we offer – to find out more visit our website and ‘what we do’ page here. In summary the services we offer are:
Here is a reminder of some of our most recent webinars, podcasts and DTP Views (with links provided) all aimed at providing valuable insight and sharing good practice. We share these via our social media and on our website.
There’s still time to join our planned webinar:
DTP Webinar – Assurance Frameworks for Governing Bodies – Monday 17 November, 12-1pm sign up for free here.
You can also catch up on past events and publications
DTP Briefing: Top Tips for Rent Setting
DTP Podcast – Navigating the Failure to Prevent Fraud Regulation
DTP Briefing (Webinar): The Rent Standard and Regulatory Compliance
DTP Briefing (Webinar): Learning from Early Regulatory Inspections
DTP Podcast – Understanding Assets and Liabilities Registers
All our podcasts are available on our YouTube channel here DTP – YouTube
DTP Views – Rethinking Risk: Five Essentials for Boards to Consider on Away Days
DTP Views – Understanding Assets and Liabilities Registers (Marcus Evans)
DTP Views – Housing Association Boards: Why External Financial Assurance Matters (Andy Roskell)
DTP Views – Financial Benchmarking for Development in Social Housing: A Pathway to Success (Andy Chapman)
To keep up to date with all of our publications and general activity, you can follow us on LinkedIn by using this link DTP LinkedIn
All our past case studies are on our website and shared via our social media channels as they are released. In case you missed our most recent case studies, we have provided links to these below:
Maryhill Housing – Strategic Review
Dimensions – Governance Review
Barnsley Council and Berneslai Homes – RSH Inspection Support
Barnsbury Housing Association – Risk And Assurance Mapping Support
Together Housing Group – Independent Case Review
Wirral Methodist Housing Association – Governance Review
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our most recent briefing, don’t forget, feedback as always is greatly appreciated.
