This Month In Social Housing: January 2026

Blimey — 2026 has barely had time to take its coat off and already it’s cracking on. While most of us are still shaking off the festive fog, coaxing life back into our inboxes and pretending January was always going to be this productive, the social housing sector has wasted absolutely no time getting down to business. In just four short weeks, the policy and funding landscape has started to come into sharper focus, with a clear message from government: housing remains a political priority — the money’s on the table, the direction’s been set, now it’s time to deliver. From rent convergence to new taskforces, upgrades and standards, there’s plenty to do and no time to spare. So, before the year really hits full stride, here’s your chance to catch up on how 2026 has kicked off in the January edition of This Month in Social Housing…

One in Five Households in Cold or Mould-Affected Homes Report Breathing Problems, Survey Shows

A fifth of people who have lived in cold, damp or mouldy homes say the conditions caused respiratory symptoms for themselves or someone in their household, according to new survey findings. The poll of nearly 4,000 people also found significant mental and physical health impacts, with almost a third reporting stress, anxiety or depression and one in 10 citing cardiovascular symptoms. Highlighted in a report by the Centre for Ageing Better, the research shows these hazards disproportionately affect people with health conditions, Black households and those on low incomes. Centre for Ageing Better deputy director Millie Brown said: “No one should have to live in a cold, damp or mouldy home that damages their health,” warning that poor-quality housing is making vulnerable people sicker and placing a heavy financial burden on the NHS.

Repairs and Maintenance Spending Hits £10bn in Latest Record Year, RSH Global Accounts Reveal

Housing associations spent a record £10bn on repairs and maintenance in 2024-25, according to the Regulator of Social Housing’s latest Global Accounts, underscoring the sector’s continued focus on existing homes. The figure represents a 13% rise on the previous year, with the regulator forecasting average annual investment of £10.9bn over the next five years. Despite economic pressures, landlords also delivered 54,000 new social homes, investing £14.2bn in development. However, the RSH warned future plans will need revisiting to reflect new requirements, including Awaab’s Law and updated Decent Homes standards. Will Perry, the regulator’s director of strategy, said record repairs spending “continues to affect margins” but stressed it was “essential” works are delivered efficiently to protect financial resilience while sustaining new supply.

Scotland Set to Introduce Awaab’s Law From October

Awaab’s Law will come into force in Scotland from 6 October, introducing new legal duties on landlords to investigate damp and mould and begin repairs within set timescales. The measures will be delivered through amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, laid before parliament this last week under new regulations designed to strengthen tenant protections. Scottish housing secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Everyone deserves to live in a home free from damp and mould,” adding that the rules will ensure issues are “swiftly investigated” and addressed. While around 90% of homes in Scotland are already free from damp and mould, ministers said the regulations will extend protections to both social and private tenants. The move mirrors England’s Awaab’s Law, introduced after the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged mould exposure.

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway to Leave Role in July

Housing ombudsman Richard Blakeway has announced he will step down after more than six years in the role, reflecting on a period of significant change and scrutiny for the sector. In a brief statement, he said: “It has been an enormous privilege to have led this organisation,” adding that complaints are “an incredibly vital way for the sector to improve and meet its obligations”. Appointed in September 2019, Mr Blakeway oversaw the introduction of the statutory Complaint Handling Code in 2024 and a tougher investigative approach that made 2025 the watchdog’s “busiest year ever”. While acknowledging progress, he cautioned that landlords have “yet to fully grip” ongoing challenges. The Housing Ombudsman is now consulting on an expanded remit, with recruitment for his successor under way.

Government Announces Social Housing Taskforce and Emergency Changes to Section 106 and HRAs

The government has unveiled a package of reforms aimed at accelerating social housebuilding, including a new social housing taskforce and emergency changes to Section 106 and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) rules. Housing secretary Steve Reed said the taskforce would help deliver “the biggest increase in homes in a generation”, urging the sector to “build, baby, build”. Measures include allowing councils to build up to 1,000 homes before opening a new HRA, time-limited flexibility on uncontracted Section 106 homes, and confirmation that rent convergence will return after 10 years. National Housing Federation chief executive Kate Henderson said the plans provide “vital certainty”, while Chartered Institute of Housing welcomed stronger standards on damp, mould and energy efficiency.

And that brings us to the end of the January edition of This Month in Social Housing. We’re all off to steel ourselves for another round of grey mornings, budget spreadsheets, and the annual February tradition of discovering just how long winter can really drag on — all while conversations about delivery, deadlines and doing more with what we’ve got continue to gather pace. But never fear: we’ll be back next month with more stories, insights and sector updates as policy plans turn into practical action and the year starts to pick up speed. Until then, keep warm, keep focused, and keep pushing things forward. Hej då!

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Mobysoft helps landlords make sense of social housing data. Founded in 2003, Mobysoft is the UKs leading data analytics and social housing technology partner committed to providing social landlords with unique and valuable insights to help them make sense of their data, properties and tenants.

Mobysoft AI-powered PropertySense® applications RentSense® and RepairSense® help landlords improve their income-collection processes and the productivity, quality, and sustainability of their repairs service for the benefit of all involved.