England: New staff qualification rules for social housing providers

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published FAQ guidance on its Competence and Conduct Standard, which took effect from 1 October 2026. The standard applies to registered providers of social housing, not to private landlords letting property in the private rented sector.

Under the standard, registered providers must ensure that senior housing managers and senior housing executives, as defined in the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, hold or are working towards a relevant qualification. The qualification level and content requirements are set out in the government's Policy Statement on Qualifications Requirements for Social Housing. The same requirement extends, with some modifications, to senior staff at services providers delivering a comprehensive social housing management service to a registered provider.

The guidance confirms there is a transition period before the qualification requirements apply. For landlords owning 1,000 or more social homes, the requirement starts on 1 October 2029. For landlords owning fewer than 1,000 social homes, it starts on 1 October 2030. Some specific duties relating to services providers are not subject to any transition period. There are no exemptions for part-time staff or for staff who are unwilling to take a qualification. Unpaid volunteers are not in scope of the qualification requirements.

This affects registered providers of social housing in England only. It does not apply to private landlords, including those who own or manage private rented property at any scale.

If you are a registered provider, or you manage social housing on behalf of one as a services provider, this standard applies to your senior housing managers and senior housing executives, regardless of how many homes you own.

• Check whether your organisation is a registered provider of social housing under RSH's consumer standards.
• If it is, identify which staff count as senior housing managers or senior housing executives under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 definitions.
• Work out which transition period applies based on the number of social homes owned.
• If you use a services provider for social housing management, check what steps you must take now under paragraph 46 of the Policy Statement, as this is not subject to the transition period.
• Check with a solicitor or accountant if you are unsure whether your organisation or any of your staff fall within scope.