Hazards, Heylo, and the Renters' Rights Reckoning
1. Housing Ombudsman publishes hazards report and calls for ‘early warning signs’
The Housing Ombudsman has published a new severe maladministration report on hazards, calling for providers to develop ‘early warning’ systems for identifying and responding to property hazards before they cause harm to residents. The report follows a pattern of increasingly assertive Ombudsman findings against landlords who fail to act on hazard risks. Separately, a survey has found that complaints handling has risen across the social housing sector since the introduction of the Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code, suggesting both improved reporting and emerging service issues. For supported housing providers, the twin focus on hazards and complaints handling reinforces the need for robust property management and accessible complaints processes — particularly given the vulnerability of residents in exempt accommodation.
Source: Housing Ombudsman
2. RSH places Heylo Housing under regulatory review for suspected serious failings
The Regulator of Social Housing has placed for-profit registered provider Heylo Housing Registered Provider Limited on its ‘gradings under review’ list due to suspected serious failings. This is significant beyond Heylo’s own portfolio because it signals continuing RSH willingness to take enforcement action against for-profit providers at a time when the distinction between for-profit and not-for-profit status remains central to Housing Benefit eligibility for exempt accommodation. The RSH has simultaneously updated its guidance on the gradings under review process, indicating a more systematic approach to handling providers with suspected compliance issues. The outgoing RSH Chief Executive Fiona MacGregor used her farewell speech to reflect on sector challenges and the regulator’s evolving role.
Source: Regulator of Social Housing
3. Renters’ Rights Act implementation: new tenant information sheets and tenancy forms published
Implementation guidance for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 continues with the publication of new information sheets for existing tenants and updated assured tenancy forms. The Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2025, abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions, replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with a single periodic assured tenancy model, and introduces supported-housing-specific grounds for possession. For supported housing providers, the new forms and guidance signal that the Act’s provisions are moving toward active enforcement. Providers who have relied on licence agreements for residents in long-term supported schemes need to assess whether those arrangements will be treated as tenancies in law — and if so, prepare for the new framework.
Source: Devonshires Insights
4. RSH publishes 21 regulatory judgements — first council achieves top consumer rating
The RSH has published a batch of 21 new regulatory judgements, including a C1 consumer upgrade for Guildford Borough Council — reportedly the first council to achieve this top consumer rating under the new framework. The batch release also includes assessments of Legal & General Affordable Homes Limited, Your Housing Group Limited, Arhag Housing Association, and Karibu Community Homes. The monthly register of providers has also been updated. For supported housing practitioners, the regulatory judgements provide ongoing intelligence on compliance expectations and governance standards that apply across the sector. The consumer standards focus signals increasing regulatory attention to tenant experience and service quality.
Source: Regulator of Social Housing
5. Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation launched
The government has launched a consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, proposing changes to Parts 6, L and F of the Building Regulations for dwellings. The consultation covers energy performance standards, ventilation requirements, and a new home user guide template. For supported housing providers developing new properties, these changes will directly affect design specifications, construction costs, and compliance requirements. For those managing existing stock, the ventilation guidance is particularly relevant given the intersection with Awaab’s Law requirements on damp and mould. The consultation closes later this year and providers should consider responding, particularly on the practical implications for adapted and specialist accommodation.
Source: Gov.uk