Housing associations

There has never been more focus on safety and compliance in social housing.

New legislation, revised standards and rising expectations are changing how landlords think about risk, responsibility and assurance. Awaab’s Law, the revised Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the new Competence and Conduct Standard, access challenges, data quality and building safety reform are often discussed separately. In practice, they are part of the same bigger shift.

House Tag is a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution that enables Housing Associations and Local Authority landlords to centrally store property-related documents and certificates. Through a secure online portal, stakeholders can quickly access documentation associated with a property, with permissions and access levels controlled by the landlord.

Beauflor took part in Housing 2026, showing how its sheet vinyl floor collections deliver the performance, style and value needed for social housing projects.

Social housing demands a lot from its flooring: easy installation and low purchase cost, durability, hygiene, simple maintenance, comfort and a design that feels homely – all important considerations for a floor that delivers in these demanding domestic environments.

Dimplex has reinforced the shift towards proof-based specification with its Edel hot water heat pump now listed on the UK Government-backed Energy Technology List (ETL) - currently the only dedicated hot water heat pump to achieve inclusion.

The listing confirms the Edel range (170, 200 and 270-litre models) meets strict energy performance criteria set out by the scheme, giving specifiers and developers a recognised benchmark at a time when compliance, efficiency and real-world performance are under increasing scrutiny.

Housing 21’s Holm Court Extra Care scheme in Suffolk has been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection in April.
The rating is the highest awarded by the regulator and marks a continued improvement for the Extra Care service, which provides 32 flats with support, following a previous Good judgement in its last review in 2017.

Access to local investment funding has enabled Cornwall based housing providers to access financial and sustainability benefits, leading to the use of Marley’s full roof system with integrated solar panels.

Charitable social housing provider, Coastline Housing, based in Redruth, Cornwall, is committed to tackling ongoing housing challenges for the local population. 

Howard Trotter, Business Manager at Shelforce reflects on the rise of the super-regulator, Gateway 2 and the golden thread.

Amid seismic regulatory change, one thing is clear: for local authorities and housing associations delivering social housing, the era of doing things by habit or assumption has passed.

As the manufacturing and supply partner for windows, doors and fire doors working directly with councils and housing providers, at Shelforce we believe this new landscape demands sharper clarity, stronger traceability and a supply chain that can genuinely deliver to the new standard.