The Heat Networks (Market Framework Regulations) (Great Britain) 2025 are expected to soon affect almshouse charities with communal boilers that provide heating to multiple occupancies. It’s essential for these charities to be aware of their responsibilities under the new regulations. While some details are still uncertain, we’ve compiled a fact sheet below with the information available so far.

What has happened?

In 2018 the Competition & Markets Authority (“CMA”) recommended the regulation of the heat network sector. Since then and following two consultations, the Government has implemented the Energy Act 2023 (the “Act”) and will shortly implement the Heat Networks (Market Framework Regulations) 2025 (the “Regulations”).

The UK Government has introduced the Regulations to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for heat networks. Guidance from the Government is forthcoming, so members should be aware that these changes will be taking place and prepare accordingly.

However, Ofgem will not begin regulating the sector until 27 January 2026, when most of its authorisation conditions will start to take effect. All regulations are planned to be in place and enforced from January 2027.

Who does it affect?

If a member charity has a communal boiler which heats multiple occupancies, it is likely to be classed as a heat network, and therefore the member charity will be classed as a heat network supplier or operator. Although almshouses have been previously exempt under the existing Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2020, it is likely that the new standards which will come into force by 2026 will apply to almshouses. It is therefore a good idea to prepare for this, by following good standards of practice.

What is the change?

All existing heat network operators and suppliers will be deemed authorised from 1 April 2025. New networks will need to register. At the same time, the Consumer Advocacy bodies (Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Consumer Scotland in Scotland) will provide advice and advocacy services for heat network consumers, and the Energy Ombudsman will help to resolve disputes.

Areas known as ‘heat network zones’ will also be designated where heat networks are expected to be the lowest cost solution for decarbonising heat. Certain buildings within zones may be required to connect to heat networks within a specified timeframe, but the rules for this have not been announced yet (March 2025). In the meantime, six Advanced Zoning Programmes are active, including regions such as Bristol and two areas within London. 

What do members who are affected need to do now?

If an almshouse has a communal boiler that heats multiple units, here’s what the charity needs to do:

• Prepare for Ofgem registration: Following a period of being automatically authorised to operate, all heat networks will be required to notify Ofgem to maintain their authorised status after 26 January 2026. Government encourages all heat networks to prepare for regulation now by following existing good practice, such as that set out by the Heat Trust and the industry’s Code of Practice.
• Understand the rules: review the new regulations on heat networks, including standards for billing and system efficiency. Sign up to zoning alerts, ready for when they are implemented.
• Check system compliance: make sure the boiler and heating system meet required standards, including safety and energy efficiency.
• Ensure fair billing: the Regulations require that the prices for heating through the network are clear and fair. Make sure residents are charged fairly, based on actual heat usage. Further consultations will develop a fair pricing network later this year.
• Seek advice: consider getting legal or regulatory advice to ensure full compliance with the rules. Members may wish to seek advice from our panel of consultants who have been recommended by other members and are familiar with the almshouse model.

Support available:

Scheme	Who can apply	Deadline
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)	As a heat network provider.	Next round of funding open soon. Current deadline 28 March
Heat Training Grant	You can get a grant of up to £500 towards eligible courses in the areas such as operation and maintenance, metering and feasibility.	Applied for via training provider. One grant per person as a discount or rebate depending on the course price.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme	As a resident, you qualify if you either: get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit are on a low income and have high energy costs	Opens October 2025
Cold Weather Payment	As a resident, you may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.	Applied automatically if  the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.
Winter Fuel Payment	As a resident, if you were born before 23 September 1958, you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.	If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get. If you do not get a letter but you think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the team here at the Association.

posted 20 March 2025

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Richmond Charities feature in the Charity Finance (February 2025) magazine.

Writer, Léa Legraien writes about the challenges charities are facing as they navigate high energy prices and climate change, looking at how they are making their buildings energy efficient.

She highlights the need for an ongoing source of support and signposting for charities and the ability to facilitate access to grant or loan funding, noting that environmental sustainability is not just the preserve of charities operating in the environmental sector, but that there are a growing number of charities from all sectors thinking about their environmental impact and how they can make their buildings more eco-friendly.

The article includes a special feature on the Richmond Charities in south west London and their new Passivhaus-certified wheelchair-accessible almshouses which opened to residents in December 2024.

To read the article in full, please click below:

posted 6 March 2025

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A member almshouse charity has kindly forwarded the below information about loan sharks that you may wish to share with your residents.

posted 28 January 2025

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Record of the Key Decisions made by The Almshouse Association Board of Trustees at Board Meetings (from June 18 onwards).

The most recent decisions are listed first:

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21 May 2025, via Teams

• Matters Arising
  • Decision: Association to review cyber response and cyber insurance.
• Charity Housing Alliance
  • Decision: Board approved proposal to develop a wider network of charity housing organisations.
• Resident Voice Project
  • Decision: Board approved project.
  • Action: Up to £25k allocated to support national research project; funding and sponsorship to be sought.
• Windsor Office & Billingbear
  • Decision: Board approved Windsor office refurbishment works (subject to planning approval).

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12 March 2025, London

• Audit: Successfully completed, declared clean with no concerns
• Financial Viability: Board confirmed strong financial position for the next 12 months
• Government Relations: Board confirmed continuance of engagement with Government reference inclusion of almshouses in NPPF and implementation of Code of Practice.

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4 December 2024 – London

• Update The Almshouse Association Finance Policy to include the duty to approve annual reviews of investments.
• Draft Terms of Reference, introduction and clarify scope for the new Governance and Nominations Committee.
• Update TAA website recommending members take TAA guidance before seeking government funding.
• Review IT/cyber risks and disaster recovery plans.

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18 September 2024 – via Teams

• Agreed to proceed with plans to search for a new freehold property
• Agreed to undertake a planning review of Billingbear Lodge to maximise value

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22 May 2024 – via Teams

• Confirmed date, venue and budget of the 2025 Members Day Event – 1, Great St George Street, 19 June 2025
• Confirmed instructions to CEO to investigate a voluntary accreditation scheme that would allow DLUC to support the amendment to NPPF recognising almshouses as ‘affordable housing’.

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13 March 2024 – NCVO, London

• The Almshouse Association (TAA) established a Heritage Group to consider what resources are needed to support heritage almshouse buildings over the next 50 years.
• TAA will draft a partnership strategy to highlight the value of almshouses to Parliament and break the deadlock of recognition as affordable housing.
• Invite all members of the almshouse family to consider applying for the trustee role at TAA.

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15 November 2023 – NCVO, London

• Build a page on website for the Member Health Check guidance notes and downloadable document. Circulate to Board.
• The Expert Volunteer Pilot Scheme is considered successful so far. Board approved the recruitment of two more volunteers to take the Pilot Scheme forward.
• Full risk register to be presented to the Board at the May meeting.
• Billingbear offices are stretched. Explore new office accommodation locally.
• Provide NP with an additional paragraph to include in the Board Away Day notes relating to ensuring TAA retains its original vision of providing independent living for the ageing population whilst considering demographic change.
• Heritage is considered a unique and core asset to the almshouse movement. Schedule a Heritage Discussion Forum London.

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20 September 2023 – via Teams

• Update and discussion of the ‘Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023’
• Reviewed and approved the updated Association’s Risk Register
• Approved the holding of a High Net-worth event in 2024 and a Members Day in 2025
• Consideration of the results of the Trustee ‘Skills survey’ and discussion of strengths and any gaps
• Board Strategy Away Day planned

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24 May 23 – via Zoom

• To review the full copy of the risk register at the September Board meeting including risks to charities posed by Government legislation.
• As a matter of good governance, to include the “desktop” auditor review on the next F&GP
• Review board structure and skill set of TAA – promote board vacancies in 2024/2025. Nominations committee to undertake.

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15 March 23 – NCVO, London

• The Board of Trustees approved the Letter of Representation to the Auditors (Buzzacott)
• The Board approved the The Almshouse Association Annual Report including the Financial statements
• The Board reviewed and approved the following Board policies:
  • Conflicts of Interest Policy
  • H&S Policy Statement
  • Trustee Code of Conduct Policy
  • Equality & Diversity Policy

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November 22

• Approval – Member subscription increase, together with the loans to members budgets
• Approval – Members Day ticket price at £95.00.
• Approval – To commence recruitment of two volunteers caseworkers in early 2023 to take part in a pilot study to last for 6 months.
• Continue pressure on DLUC to recognise the independence of charities. Response from the Charity Commission regarding Section 32 of the Social Housing Bill is pending.

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September 22

• The Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to support the revised 2030 strategy at a reduced cost.
• The Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to hold the Members Day & AGM in London in 2023.
• Following a full investment review, the Board of Trustees unanimously agreed that the funds currently held with M&G should move over to the main existing Waverton fund.

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May 22

• Strategy – progress to be reported at each Board Meeting.
• The Social Housing Regulation Bill
  • To raise concerns about the Bill to the parliamentary group.
  • Ask parliamentarians what flexibility there is within the system to amend, adjust or be exempt from this legislation.
  • Lobby for a lighter touch regulation from RSH for smaller almshouses.
• Church of England Social Housing Plans
  • Contact the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Bishop Guli, Bishop of Chelmsford to encourage a review of Housing Association and suggest the almshouse model has served the church well for centuries.
  • Approach a local diocese and membership for support.

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March 22, via Zoom

• It was agreed that a solicitor would review internal board policies.
• The Board continue to work to the Code of Charity Governance.
• The Board agreed to the creation of a Governance Committee.
• The Board agreed to the direction of the new strategy and for the remaining monies from the 2018 strategy of to be fully utilised in the new strategy.
• The Board approved the proposal to instruct a firm of solicitors to conduct the review, redraft, design, and maintenance of both the online version and hard copy version of the Standards of Almshouse Management document.
• The Board approved the Annual Report (subject to final format), Financial Statements, Going Concern Letter and Buzzacott’s Letter of Representation.

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11 November 2021, via Zoom

• To explore the options of hybrid Board meetings with NCVO.
• Standards of Almshouse Management new draft – the review timetable to be forwarded to the Board of Trustees prior to 30th November 2021.
• Review support for members wishing to develop new almshouses and refurbish.

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22 September 2021, via Zoom

• To review all TAA Policies.
• Appoint Simon Wilson as Away Day Facilitator to review long term strategy.

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26th May 2021, via Zoom

• Prioritise loans and grants for members with Listed Buildings.
• Contact the Listed Buildings Property Owners Club to find any areas of common ground that can support our members.
• Reschedule the November Board Meeting.
• Announce the date of the members’ day at the 75^th Anniversary Event
• Find ways of supporting members who wish to explore the background of founders linked to the slave trade.

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3 March 2021, via Zoom

• The Board agreed to increase the number of Regional Champions in 2022 particularly looking at Yorkshire and other larger counties and regions.
• Governance review at first stage considered a review of Board feedback. A workshop to review strategy was proposed for later in 2021.
• The risk register should identify investment risks for The Almshouse Association reserves.
• Thanks to all charities that support their staff to attend board meetings should be recognised in the Annual Report.
• The Annual Accounts having been reviewed by auditors were approved by the Board.

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17th September 2020, via Zoom

• The decision was carried by the Board to release £20,000 from the Grant budget and for full flexibility to be granted to CEO for discretionary distribution to charities in immediate crisis up to £3,000 per case. The pilot will be reviewed after 6 months.
• The Board voted and unanimously agreed to release a further £5,000 (above the strategic budget) to enable the data collection and Value for Money research to commence.
• The Board unanimously agreed with the recommendation made by the F&GP to increase the Grants budget from £250,000 to £350.000.

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27th May 2020, via Zoom

• Governance review to recommence in June.
• AGM to take place via webinar with a poll conducted prior to the meeting.  Date to be confirmed.

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11th March 2020   NCVO, London N1

• Delegated authority was given to NP to cancel or continue events based on evidence at the time.
• The Board approved/adopted the Annual Accounts for 2019 and the Annual Report subject to minor amendments discussed. The Board approved the letter of representation to Buzzacotts.
• Delegated authority was given to board members to register the name change from ’The National Association of Almshouses’ to ‘The Almshouse Association’ with the Charity Commission in advance of the filing with Companies House.
• Authority was given to recruit regional champions for 9 months and to roll out nationally in 2021.
• The new branding and logo was approved and endorsed by the Board. Roll out timing as CEO sees fit.
• Following demand for loans and grants exceeding funds budgeted the Board approved an increase in the budget available to provide restricted funds for the provision of loans up to £1,000,000 and grants up to £250,000 for 2020.

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19th September 19   NCVO, London N1

• The Board supports the recruitment of a part-time campaign manager on a fixed term contract.
• The Board supports an office move to suitable new accommodation.
• The Board endorsed loans and grants paper as recommended by F&GP.
• The Board supports a budget towards almshouse research.

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4th June 19     NCVO, London N1

• In preparation for the 75th Anniversary in 2021, a Working Party has been set up which includes Board Members, David Healey and Jim Kennedy. The event will include support for almshouses to open up their garden and/or houses to gain local interest.
• Following a recommendation by the F&GP Sub-Committee and a unanimous vote in favour by the Board, the Almshouse Association Investments will be managed by Waverton Investment Management.
• The Nominations Committee recommended Clive Cook of St John’s Charity, Winchester to join the Board and this was unanimously endorsed.
• A grant was given to Anglia Ruskin University, which has produced good analysis of almshouse literature. A Sourcebook has been completed in draft.

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13th March 2019, NCVO, London N1

• Board unanimously approved the Strategy and Resource budget and asked that an update on delivery should form part of the F&GP agenda and future board meetings.

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15th November 18      NCVO, London N1 

• Organisational strategy reviewed  – discussed at length and some changes made  – to be re-presented for approval at the March 19 Board Meeting
• Proposal to appoint Willie Hartley-Russell to the F&GP sub-committee approved
• Agreed that future F&GP meetings would be held in London
• Noted that 2019 member subscription fees had been increased by 2% across the board
• Following consideration by the sub-committee and the Board, Quentin Elston, Jim Kennedy, Andrew Barnes and David Healey were individually proposed and unanimously elected to the board.

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13th June 18      Merchant Taylor’s Hall, London EC2R

• The Board instructed the Directorate to prepare policy and procedure for issuing grants to member charities

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Updated: 31 March 2025

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Navigating energy bills continues to be something of a daunting task, especially when finances are limited. The Association has put together some practical advice and suggestions on the subject to help alleviate the pressure of high energy bills which we hope will be helpful for our member almshouse charities and their residents.

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Warm Home Discount
There is support available to help with your energy bills, whether it be through energy grants or support services. If you are receiving pension credit or certain other benefits, you could qualify for the Warm Home Discount which is a one-time payment of £150 to help with your electricity bill. If you’re eligible and your supplier participates in the scheme, the discount is usually received automatically between October and March. 

Winter Fuel Payment
There has been much comment in the media about the cuts that have been made in Winter Fuel Payments and the process now involved in applying for this, but for those aged over 60 it is still worth enquiring whether you are eligible for this payment from the government of up to £300 that helps cover energy costs during the chilly winter months.

Cold weather payment
This payment kicks in when the temperature drops below 0 degrees for a whole week. You could get £25 for each qualifying week between November and March.

​Practical tips to help save energy

• Upgrade appliances with those that have good EPC (energy performance certificate) ratings to reduce energy consumption.
• Replace old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs which use less energy and have a longer lifespan.
• Seal drafts: Check around windows, doors, and vents and seal them with weatherstripping or caulking. This helps prevent heat loss in winter and keeps cool air inside during summer.
• Set your thermostat to energy efficient temperatures of between 18-21 degrees. The lower the setting the higher the savings.
• Curtains: During sunny days, open curtains or blinds to keep the home warmer. Close them at night to retain heat.
• Deal with faulty insulation or inefficient heating, let your landlord know.
• Limit hot water usage: Use energy efficient showerheads, take shorter showers, and wash clothes in cold water to reduce energy consumption associated with heating water.
• Install a smart meter which is free. This shows you exactly how much energy you’re using and when so you can spot any energy guzzling habits and make changes to save money. 
• Laundry tips: Wash clothes at 20-40°C to save energy and money. Avoid using the tumble dryer and instead, dry clothes outside whenever possible. Don’t dry clothes directly on radiators as it disrupts the warm airflow in the room.
• Water usage: Spend less time in the shower aiming for just 4 minutes and consider swapping baths for showers. Avoid overfilling the kettle, only boiling the amount of water you need.
• Dishwasher usage: Fill your dishwasher with a full load and use the eco setting if available to save energy.

posted 29 October 2024

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