[Tina Pearson]

Are your residents claiming Housing Benefit? Are your WMC rates up to the Local Housing Allowance?

[Tina Pearson]

The Renters Reform does not apply to Almshouses.

[Tina Pearson]

William, thanks for your feedback/ help- much appreciated.

Finally I have read the additional document you kindly attached and calculated the formula rents. I assume you googled average rents for the county you are based in too??

Tina

[Tina Pearson]

William,

Just checking with you:

a) Do new licences start at existing wmc rate per property (minus service charges) plus upto a 5% increase. So long as they dont exceed the fair rent valuation
b) is the Rent Cap the fair rent valuation?
b) WMC annually can only increase by a max of 5%. . if CPI plus 1% exceeds an 5% increase- then the wmc can only be increase by the consumer price index
c) if residents move between properties- the wmc cant be reset
d) rent flexibility level is 105%
e) if wmc when increased by CPI plus 1% is below the formula rent (existing wmc?)- does this mean a negative amount? in which case there is a £2 allowance

[Tina Pearson]

Carolyn, I forgot to say that if any beneficiaries have negotiated an electric deal which doesnt include economy 7 – the econ7 to the property will be dsabled to the properties.

[Tina Pearson]

Hi there, the advice given is correct. EPC ratings are better with high heat retension storage heaters. We have used Quantum Dimplex heaters- but there are a few other brands that are considered acceptable. We put Rointe non storage heaters in the bedrooms – as no one would want a storage heater in the bedroom.

[Tina Pearson]

I use ‘Charity Log’ it ok- but a bit clunky and time consuming to set up

[Tina Pearson]

Hi Nick, yes I do feel more confident in my work practice since completing the level 4 course. I have a better undertanding of the history behind social housing.
I am more inclined now to research housing law and fact check information. I have a better understanding of difference between tenancies and licences.

Tina

[Tina Pearson]

Sian.
I expect several small almshouses will struggle with recuitment in the future on a cost front- I am guessing they’ll have to merge with other housing providers.
I wonder if making ‘Housing’ a profession like ‘social work’- new younger people will be attracted to this field of work.

[Tina Pearson]

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/competence-and-conduct-standard-for-social-housing-consultation/outcome/competence-and-conduct-standard-for-social-housing-government-response.

Hi there, it looks as if smaller providers get an extra year to get the required qualifications.

Nick Phillips is checking if we’ll need a level 4 or 5 qualifications (cant do level 5 without level 4). It would be nice if the chartered institute tailored their courses to almshouses- at least to provide some info around licences and not only tenancies.

I did the level 4 last year. If affordable individual almshouses would need to either increase the hours for staff or pay for some extra cover.

TinaX

[Tina Pearson]

No chance of an opt out.

[Tina Pearson]

A core part of the new Competency & Conduct standard is the
requirement for certain senior roles to hold,
or be working towards, a relevant housing
qualification. This is intended to raise
professional standards, ensure consistency
across the sector, and give tenants confidence
that those leading and managing housing
services have the right knowledge and
expertise.
The government has now confirmed the specific
qualifications that will meet the requirement,
along with rules on equivalents, apprenticeships
and minimum course standards:
• Senior housing managers: Ofqual-regulated
Level 4 in housing management (or
equivalent).
• Senior housing executives: Ofqual-regulated
Level 5 in housing/foundation degree (or
equivalent).
• Equivalent or higher qualifications (e.g.
degrees, CIH PQ, DipHE, HND) recognised if
they meet content criteria.
• Partially compliant qualifications: can be
“topped up” with additional accredited
training modules.
• Apprenticeships: now explicitly recognised
where they meet content and assessment
requirements.
• All qualifications must meet coursecontent
criteria and a minimum TQT (Total qualification time of 120 hours)

I am the only employee of an almshouse- does that make me a senior housing manager or senior housing executive? PLease can someone from the Almshouses Association clarify this please?

[Tina Pearson]

lastest info from the CIH:

The government has published its final direction to the Regulator of Social Housing, requiring it to set a Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing providers, to commence in October 2026. Alongside this, it has published an updated policy statement on qualification requirements. A ‘what you need to know’ CIH member briefing will be published shortly. Members can also sign up for a webinar on 18 November.

[Tina Pearson]

Having spent last year completing the level 4 qualification I would recommend that small registered providers where financially affordable get some extra admin help whilst their clerks and scheme managers complete the required qualifications.

[Tina Pearson]

Hi Nick,

Can you ask if the qualification for smaller providers could be completed on a modular basis (ie pay for a module at a time until the requisite number of module have been completed) or the current year long courses could be completed over 2 years rather than 1 year?

Do we know if the level 5 applies to both Clerks and Trustees?

(I am dreading starting the level 5 course. The level 4 course impacted on the quality of my work last year for the charity and I wouldn’t want to be working at the same pace again given likely inspections from the Regulator for Social Housing on the cards)

Tina

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