Sector Risk Profile 2025: What Social Housing Landlords Need to Know

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) published its 2025 Sector Risk Profile on 6th November 2025, setting out the critical risks that social housing landlords face in meeting both financial and consumer standards.

The Sector Risk Profile outlines the most significant risks to landlords' ability to deliver the outcomes of the RSH's standards. It also highlights a need to continually work to improve governance and risk management to meet current and upcoming sector challenges.

Following the implementation of the new regulatory and inspection regime in April 2024, this year's profile signals a clear change: from setting expectations to enforcing them with boards of registered providers firmly in the spotlight. This blog will break down the report to help you navigate where your risks and priorities lie going into next year. 

Tenant Safety

Safety remains a top priority for the sector, with requirements rising once again. Although landlords have been spending significant amounts of money on areas such as damp and mould and fire safety, ensuring that tenants' homes are safe and decent continues to represent a major area of risk. 

Governance and Data

Governance emerged as another central theme. The RSH is clear that boards are responsible for managing risk, ensuring compliance and delivering safe, decent homes; emphasising that good governance is the foundation for tenant safety and service quality.

Boards are expected to demonstrate robust oversight, controls, data-driven decision-making, and a proactive approach to risk management. Providers must also have a clear understanding of their operational risks and fully understand all relevant standards and statutory duties. 

Financial Viability 

Maintaining services requires strong financial health amid rising costs and increasing demands, from maintaining existing homes to funding new developments. These pressures are further emphasised by new and evolving regulatory obligations, including the phased implementation of Awaab’s Law, new electrical safety regulations, the forthcoming Competency and Conduct Standard and the introduction of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

For more expert insights into how to ensure compliance with phase one of Awaab's Law and how to prepare for the 2026 changes, download your Housing Provider's Guide to Awaab's Law here. 

Supply of New Homes 

With over 1.3 million people currently waiting for social housing, demand far exceeds supply. Local authorities are also facing challenges in providing temporary accommodation for the growing need. The RSH highlights the expectation that Registered Providers (RPs) develop strategic plans to increase housing availability and contribute to addressing the national shortfall.

Reputational Risk 

Landlords remain under intense scrutiny from tenants, media, and the wider public. Active tenant engagement and transparent communication are essential to maintaining trust. Landlords should seek tenants’ views proactively and clearly demonstrate how this feedback has shaped service delivery decisions. Genuine engagement and transparent reporting are critical to maintaining trust. 

What Next? 

A number of the Sector Risk Profile themes have continued from the 2024 to the 2025 report, with many of the risks being unsurprising. However, the sector is operating in an ever more complex and constrained environment. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but the RSH has urged landlords to ground their approach in evidence, data, governance, and oversight to successfully navigate these challenges.

At Pennington Choices, we are helping many housing providers to understand their performance and supporting them in driving improvements. From Consumer Standards Reviews, Compliance Health Checks, Damp and Mould Health Checks, and Building Safety Gap Analysis, we can provide support tailored to your organisation's needs. Get in touch to speak to us about how we can support you.