2025 Housing Legislation Updates: How to prepare

Last updated: 24th July 2025 

With 2025 on the horizon, it’s important to prepare now for the significant legislative changes that the new year will bring. 2024 marked a turning point for housing regulations, with major developments like the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and the Building Safety Act 2022 reshaping the sector. Looking ahead, 2025 promises further updates and requirements to enhance safety and service quality. 

Decent Homes Standard, HHSRS, and Awaab’s Law

One of the most anticipated updates for 2025 is the review of the Decent Homes Standard and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), alongside the implementation of Awaab’s Law. 

Decent Homes Standard review 

Originally introduced over two decades ago, the Decent Homes Standard is undergoing a long-overdue review. As of the 2nd July 2025, the proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard have been published and its consultation is now open until 10th September 2025. This is an opportunity for everyone across the sector to have their voices heard. The proposed updates aim to put a greater focus on tenant safety, modernise definitions, and introduce a new focus on enforceability, including: 

• Updating the way in which disrepair is measured, removing age requirements, updating the thresholds used to define that a component is in poor condition.
  
• Updating the list of elements that must be maintained in a reasonable state of repair for a property to be considered ‘decent’.
• To improve safety and reduce the risk of falls from windows, for example by children, by adding a new requirement for window restrictors to be installed .

Have your say on the proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard here. 

HHSRS review 

In 2023, the government published a summary report outlining planned changes to the HHSRS. The expected updates include: 

• Reducing the number of hazards from 29 to 21 by consolidating similar categories.
• Introducing baselines for identifying serious hazards.
• Providing new statutory guidance for consistent enforcement. 

These revisions aim to streamline HHSRS assessments, empower landlords and tenants, and align with legislation such as the Building Safety Act 2022. You can access the full summary report of the review here. 

Awaab’s Law implementation  

Section 42 of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 introduces a significant amendment to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which will legally require social landlords to address hazards promptly. Known as Awaab’s Law, this amendment honours the memory of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in December 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home. 

Awaab's Law will be implemented in a phased approach, with the first phase coming into force in October 2025.

• From 27th October 2025: Social landlords will be legally obligated to address all emergency hazards and all damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk to tenants within set timeframes.
• In 2026: These legal duties will extend to cover to a broader range of hazards under the HHSRS, beyond damp and mould. These additional hazards will include:
  • Excess cold and excess heat
  • Falls associated with baths etc.
  • Structural collapse, and explosions
  • Fire, and electrical hazards
  • Domestic and personal hygiene and food safety 
• In 2027: Th requirements will be further expanded to include all remaining HHSRS hazards (excluding overcrowding) where there is a significant risk of harm. 

These requirements aim to ensure faster resolution of health and safety risks in social housing, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to protecting tenant wellbeing. 

For a comprehensive understanding of the HHSRS and Awaab’s Law, download our FREE Guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) here.

Procurement Act 2023 

The Procurement Act 2023, taking effect in February 2025, introduces a major overhaul of public procurement processes across the UK. This legislation aims to modernise, simplify, and enhance procurement practices with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and value. 

Key features of the Act include: 

• Streamlined procurement procedures. 
• Stricter oversight of suppliers. 
• Enhanced environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
• New training and support mechanisms. 

Prepare for these changes by familiarising yourself with the Act’s requirements here and adjusting your procurement strategies accordingly. 

Retrofit and Energy Efficiency Standards 

Retrofitting homes remains a critical priority, with several new requirements coming into force in 2025 to support the UK’s energy efficiency and decarbonisation goals.  

For expert insights into conducting a risk-free retrofit project, register for our next free live webinar, The Retrofit Dilemma: Damp, Mould, and Condensation, to avoid causing damp and mould issues as a consequence of retrofit.  

Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 

This updated standard introduces decarbonisation measures, affordable heating requirements, and provisions for damp and mould prevention in social housing in Wales, with funding available to meet the standards. The standard came into effect in April 2024, with the first reporting point being 31st March 2025. You can find government guidance on this new standard here.

Future Homes Standard

For new builds in England, the Future Homes Standard will focus on decarbonising new homes by improving heating systems and reducing energy waste. The standard only applies to buildings constructed after June 2025, giving landlords time to adapt their construction practices. 

EPC Band C Targets 

Landlords must continue preparing for the 2030 goal of achieving EPC band C for all properties throughout 2025, aligning with sustainability targets, carbon reduction efforts, and the Climate Change Act 2008. 

For insights into planning your retrofit projects, download our FREE Housing Provider’s Guide to a Successful Retrofit Project. 

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) 

The consultation on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) is now open for the social rented sector at EPC band C or equivalent by 2030. This consultation, led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, marks an important step in decarbonising social homes, as well as tackling fuel poverty in the sector.  

It covers the following areas:

• Setting a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard
• Addressing Implementation Issues
• Longer-term Decarbonisation and Net Zero

Give your views on the MEES consultation here. 

Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) 

At the end of 2024, the government published its response to the Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) consultation. 2025 will see the sector getting to grips with these significant changes to improve fire safety for residents and Responsible Persons (RPs) adapting to their new duties. You can access the full guidance document here.

Fire safety standard BS 9991

Changes to BS9991- Fire Safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings came into force at the end of 2024, meaning organisations will be adapting to the amendments throughout 2025. These include: 

• New buildings over 18 metres are now recommended to have more than one common stair.
• Introduction of evacuation alert systems in buildings over 18 metres.
• Increased focus on evacuation lifts in tall buildings and enhanced requirements for lifts in buildings over 50 metres.
• Changes to smoke control requirements.
• Removal of national classifications for reaction to fire.
  

Approved Document B (Fire Safety)

Changes to Approved Document B came into force on 2nd March 2025, including:

• Changes to fire safety provisions focusing on Regulation 38 and fire safety information provided for construction and refurbishment projects to improve the transition from the construction phase of a building to the occupied phase. 
• Removal of national classes for reaction to fire.
• Introduction of new requirements for sprinklers in care homes (all new care homes, irrespective of height) and new care homes to limit compartment sizes to 10 beds with self-closing fire doors.

Building Safety Act 2022 and Consumer Regulation 

While 2024 introduced landmark changes under the Building Safety Act 2022, 2025 will see the sector continue to adapt to its requirements. Key areas of focus include: 

• Submitting robust building safety case reports. 
• Meeting updated fire safety and Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) obligations. 
• Strengthening tenant engagement and reporting mechanisms. 

Additionally, under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, organisations’ 2025 priorities should also lie with the new consumer regulation regime, inspections from the Regulator of Social Housing, and demonstrating compliance with the outcomes of the four new consumer standards. 

2025 promises to be another transformative year for the housing sector, with new legislation shaping the path toward safer, more efficient, and sustainable housing. By preparing now, landlords and housing providers can stay ahead, ensuring compliance while delivering high-quality services to tenants.