2025 Housing Legislation Updates: How to prepare

Last updated: 19th March 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. Relaunched in 2023, the review will explore updates such as: 

• Expanding the list of elements that must be maintained in a reasonable state of repair for a property to be considered ‘decent’.
• Applying the standard to the private rented sector, ensuring consistency across housing types. 

The review, conducted in two parts, builds on findings from the Levelling Up White Paper and aims to modernise housing conditions across the board. 

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. 

The first phase of Awaab's Law will come into force in October 2025, making social landlords legally required to: 

• Investigate reported hazards within 14 calendar days.
• Begin remediation work within an additional seven calendar days.
• Complete emergency repairs within 24 hours.
• Provide a written summary of findings following the investigation. The report must include as a minimum:  
  • Investigation details: Date, time, and job title of the investigator.
  • Follow-up actions: Any further investigations and their timelines. 
  • Hazards identified: Description of any hazards found and whether they pose significant health or safety risks. If it does pose a risk, include temporary repairs needed, plans and timescales for permanent rectification, and contact details for the registered provider for queries. 

These strict timelines 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. 

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.