POLICY & REGULATION • Government publishes the Draft Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Bill, proposing commonhold as the default tenure for new flats (including how to make shared ownership work in commonhold), making converting existing leasehold to commonhold easier, capped ground rents and stronger protections for homeowners who pay estate rent charges. • Reformed Decent Homes Standard confirmed for 2035, introducing updated repair criteria that moves from age of component to condition, thermal comfort requirements and a new damp & mould standard alongside Awaab’s Law.
WARM HOMES & ENERGY EFFICIENCY • Warm Homes Plan commits £15bn to upgrade 5 million homes with insulation, solar heat pumps, smart controls and a new Warm Homes Agency.
•
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards strengthened – all social rented homes must meet EPC C on one metric by 2030 and two metrics by 2039, with a £10,000 spend exemption.
• EPCs set for major reforms in 2027: new multi-metric ratings (energy cost, fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness) and requirement to issue EPCs before marketing.
•
National Planning Policy Framework consultation closed 10th March 2026,
• Future Homes Standard to be introduced
proposing a more rules-based system, clearer national policies and standardised inputs.
from March 2027 with a 12-month transition, with full specification set out in regulation.
LOCAL AUTHORITY & SECTOR REFORM • Threshold for councils to open a Housing Revenue Account raised from 200 to 1,000 homes. • Council Housebuilding Support Fund receives an additional £3.5m to boost delivery of almost 10,000 homes. • New statutory Supported Housing Strategies required by March 2027, including needs assessments and annual reporting.
VOICES OF THE FUTURE: INSIGHTS FROM THE CIH FUTURES & ALTAIR REPORT • Young professionals are passionate about housing’s social purpose – 88% say making a positive difference is very important. • Despite challenges around pay, workload and career progression, almost 7 in 10 plan to stay in the sector long-term. • Burnout is common – 36% experienced it in the past year and only 13% say their organisation always meaningfully acts on staff feedback. • Employees want clearer pathways, fairer recognition and a sector that listens, supports wellbeing and champions young voices.
Read the full report here.
APRIL 2026 | ISSUE #2
7
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator