Regulator of Social Housing Moves to Introduce Electrical Safety Tenant Satisfaction Measure

Big changes are coming for the social housing sector next year; it is crucial that you understand what the changes mean for you and when they are coming to ensure compliance. From 2026, landlords may be required to both carry out electrical safety checks and report the results publicly. 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has asked the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) to update its standards, and on 9th December 2025, the RSH launched a 12-week consultation on the proposed changes. This blog outlines why this matters for tenant safety, what landlords should be doing now, and how it could improve transparency and accountability across social housing. 

To discover other changes coming for social housing in 2026, catch up on our latest webinar, 'Housing Insights for 2026: Looking Back and Moving Forward', which is available on-demand here.

So, what's being proposed? 

A key proposal is a new Tenant Satisfaction Measure (TSM) for electrical safety, which would track whether required inspections, such as fixed-wiring checks, have been completed and properly recorded.

If this TSM is adopted, landlords would be required to report the proportion of their homes where all required electrical checks have been carried out. This would include both individual flats and communal areas where applicable. Larger providers would submit their results annually to RSH, while smaller providers would publish their results where relevant. The first full reporting year under this measure is expected to be 2026/27.

What electrical safety legislation is already in place? 

The proposed TSM builds on existing legislation and standards. Social landlords are now legally required under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025 to:

• Inspect and test electrical installations at least every five years
• Obtain a formal Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Provide a copy of the EICR to tenants
  

In addition, the TSM aligns with your broader legal duties under the Housing Act 2004, which requires you to provide safe homes, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which addresses fire risks in communal areas.

Why this matters 

The electrical safety TSM is not just about ticking boxes, it is about giving tenants clarity and reassurance. Electrical faults remain a significant fire safety risk, and a publicly reported measure would help tenants understand whether their home meets basic safety standards.

It would also hold landlords more accountable, encouraging them to carry out inspections on time, fix any problems promptly, and maintain accurate records. Making electrical safety a standard, reportable measure could raise safety and transparency across the social housing sector.

What providers should be doing now 

Landlords and housing associations should start by reviewing their existing inspection records, including wiring, consumer units, and communal installations to identify any gaps ahead of possible TSM reporting. They should ensure systems are in place to record inspections, evidence remedial works, and share results with residents.

Providers and tenant representatives are encouraged to take part in the consultation, which runs until 3rd March 2026 to give feedback on the proposed TSM and other changes. You can have your say in the consultation here.

Residents should also be kept informed so they understand what inspections are happening and what this could mean for them.

What this means for the sector 

If introduced, the electrical safety TSM would make electrical safety a core, reportable standard across social housing. Tenants would benefit from greater transparency and reassurance, while landlords would have a clear and consistent framework to meet their legal obligations. In a post-Grenfell landscape, transparency and accountability are not optional, they are essential to ensure safer homes and build trust between landlords and residents.

If you are looking for help understanding your existing or upcoming changes to electrical safety regulations, get in touch with our team of experts for tailored support.