New RSH Standards: What Social Housing Professionals Need to Know

October 2024 marks a pivotal moment for social housing in England. The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has announced sweeping changes with the introduction of a new Competence and Conduct Standard and updated Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs). For housing associations, councils, and NHS partners, these changes aren't just bureaucratic tweaks—they represent a fundamental shift in how we deliver accountable, tenant-focused services.

Breaking Down the New RSH Standards

The RSH's revised standards, coming into force on 1 October 2024, focus on two key areas that will directly impact frontline housing professionals and management teams:

1. The New Competence and Conduct Standard

This separate standard makes explicit what many in the sector have long advocated—that housing isn't just about buildings, but about people with the right skills delivering quality services. Key requirements include:

• Clear competence frameworks for all staff and board members
• Mandatory training on tenant safety and wellbeing
• Robust conduct requirements aligned with professional standards
• Regular skills assessments and continuous professional development

For housing providers, this means reviewing your staff competency frameworks and ensuring your teams are prepared. The RSH has made clear they will assess compliance through regular inspections.

2. Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs)

The updated STAIRs represent a significant shift towards transparency, requiring:

• Proactive publication of performance data
• Clear communication about tenant rights and responsibilities
• Accessible complaint procedures
• Regular tenant engagement reporting

This aligns with the growing emphasis on tenant voice and empowerment across the sector. Housing associations will need to review their communication strategies and information sharing practices.

Practical Steps for Compliance

With just months until implementation, here's what housing professionals should prioritise:

For Housing Managers

• Conduct a skills gap analysis using the RSH framework
• Review training programmes—particularly around tenant safety
• Audit current information sharing practices against STAIRs requirements

For Council Housing Teams

• Coordinate with supported housing providers to ensure alignment
• Update tenant communication templates and accessibility formats
• Prepare for increased transparency around performance data

For NHS and Care Partners

Those working in health and housing partnerships should:

• Ensure staff understand the new tenant information rights
• Review data sharing agreements with housing providers
• Participate in cross-sector training initiatives

Why These Changes Matter

These aren't just compliance exercises. The RSH reforms address three critical sector challenges:

1. Rebuilding trust after the Grenfell tragedy and subsequent reviews
2. Professionalising the workforce in a challenging recruitment environment
3. Empowering tenants through better information and engagement

As Fiona MacGregor, RSH Chief Executive, stated: "These changes will help ensure residents receive services from competent, trustworthy professionals, with clear rights to information about their homes."

Key Takeaways for Housing Professionals

• The Competence and Conduct Standard takes effect 1 October 2024
• STAIRs requirements will transform tenant information sharing
• All staff—from frontline to board level—need competency assessments
• Transparency and tenant engagement are now regulatory requirements
• Cross-sector partnerships will be crucial for implementation

How Social Home Can Help

Navigating these changes requires the right tools and partnerships. At Social Home, we're already updating our platform to support compliance with:

• Tenant communication templates meeting STAIRs requirements
• Staff competency tracking features
• Performance reporting dashboards
• Secure information sharing capabilities

Our resource library also includes guides on implementing the new standards.

Looking Ahead

While October may seem distant, the scale of change required means preparation should start now. These reforms represent an opportunity to:

• Enhance professional standards across the sector
• Strengthen tenant relationships through transparency
• Future-proof your organisation against evolving regulation

For ongoing updates on these changes and other sector developments, bookmark our housing professionals blog.

The social housing landscape is evolving—ensure your organisation isn't just ready for October, but positioned to thrive under the new standards.