AUGUST 2026: A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news.

1. Revised Consumer Standards published

The Regulator of Social Housing has published its final decision following consultation on changes to the Consumer Standards.

All of the below come into force on 1 October 2026

• The revised Transparency, Influence and Accountability (TIA) Standard – click here
• The new Competence and Conduct Standard – click here
• The updated Consumer Standards Code of Practice – click here
• The Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) – click here

The changes are intended to strengthen transparency, improve professionalism across the sector and give social housing residents greater access to information about their landlord.

Key changes

• Greater access to information – Registered providers will be required to comply with the new Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs), making it easier for residents to request information about the management and performance of their landlord. The information request requirements will be introduced in phases, giving providers time to prepare.

• A revised Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard – The updated TIA Standard places greater emphasis on engaging meaningfully with residents, listening to feedback and demonstrating how resident views influence decisions. Providers must ensure complaints are handled effectively, residents are kept informed and opportunities exist for scrutiny and challenge.

• New Competence and Conduct Standard – Alongside the revised TIA Standard, the Regulator has introduced a standalone Competence and Conduct Standard. Registered providers must ensure relevant staff have the appropriate skills, knowledge and behaviours, maintain policies for learning and development, and adopt a code of conduct. Qualification requirements for certain senior housing managers and executives will be introduced through a phased implementation programme.

• Updated Code of Practice – The Consumer Standards Code of Practice has been revised to reflect the new standards and to provide clearer guidance on how providers can demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections.

What this means for almshouse charities

Registered provider almshouse charities should begin reviewing their policies and procedures ahead of October 2026.

In particular, trustees should consider:

• how resident information requests will be managed
• whether resident engagement arrangements meet the revised Transparency, Influence and Accountability (TIA) Standard
• whether staff competence and learning policies require updating
• whether a staff code of conduct is in place
• whether any senior roles fall within the new qualification requirements.

The Regulator has confirmed that implementation should be proportionate to the size and complexity of each provider, recognising that smaller organisations will meet the standards in different ways to larger housing associations.

The Almshouse Association will continue to produce guidance and template documents to help registered provider members prepare for the new requirements.

2. Competence and Conduct Standard confirmed

The Regulator of Social Housing has also published the final consultation response to the Competence and Conduct Standard, which comes into force on 1 October 2026. The new standard is designed to improve professionalism across the social housing sector by ensuring that staff have the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours needed to deliver high-quality services to residents.

The standard applies to registered providers of social housing. Providers will be expected to:

• ensure relevant staff are competent to carry out their roles;
• have a written policy covering learning and development, performance management and addressing poor performance;
• adopt and maintain a code of conduct for relevant staff;
• involve residents in reviewing these policies; and
• ensure senior housing managers and executives hold, or are working towards, an approved housing management qualification where required.

The Regulator has also confirmed that the Competence and Conduct requirements will sit within a standalone standard, rather than being incorporated into the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard, giving them greater prominence. There will be transitional periods for the qualification requirements to allow providers time to comply.

What this means for almshouses

For most almshouse charities, the immediate priority is to review whether existing policies, staff training and governance arrangements meet the new expectations.

Qualification requirements only apply to those staff and executives who fall within the scope of the standard, and smaller providers have a longer implementation period.

The Almshouse Association will continue to provide guidance and practical resources to help registered provider members understand which roles are affected and what actions they need to take ahead of the implementation deadlines.

Members may also wish to familiarise themselves with the Qualifications Toolkit.

3. Updates to Charity Commission Pages

The Charity Commission has published updated guidance on ‘How to make changes to your charity’s governing document (CC36)’ for CIOs, unincorporated associations, and trusts in more detail.

Previously the unincorporated associations and trusts guidance was combined; these are now two separate pieces of guidance. The updated guidance includes more detail about:

• managing conflicts of interest
• giving notice of or consulting on changes
• benefits to trustees and others.

For the CIO and unincorporated associations guidance there is more detail about the role of members in these decisions.

Improving services

The Charity Commission has published a call for evidence inviting trustees and other users of its services to join a user research participant pool, which will help inform improvements to its systems and services.

The call for evidence closes on 1 July 2028.

posted 3 August 2026

JULY 2026 UPDATE

A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news impacting almshouse charities

1. Fundraising Regulator updates guidance and resources

• The Fundraising Regulator has published new resources to help charities understand when fundraising activities may require a solicitation statement. The resources include a new flowchart and interactive quiz designed to help organisations determine whether an individual or organisation is acting as a professional fundraiser or commercial participator, and when a solicitation statement must be provided.
  
  Charities that engage external fundraisers or commercial partners may find these tools particularly useful in ensuring compliance with fundraising regulations

• The Fundraising Regulator has also confirmed that, from 30 September 2026, the financial thresholds for when a fundraising arrangement is treated as involving a professional fundraiser or commercial participator (and therefore when a solicitation statement may be required) will increase from £10 to £15 per day and from £1,000 to £1,500 per year. This means that some lower-value fundraising arrangements may no longer fall within these requirements.

• In addition, the Regulator has updated its guidance on fundraising reporting requirements under the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016.
  
  The revisions reflect upcoming changes to charity accounting and reporting thresholds and may be relevant to charities preparing their annual reports and accounts.

What do trustees need to do?

• Review the new fundraising resources if your charity undertakes fundraising activities or works with third-party fundraisers.
• Check whether your current fundraising arrangements require a solicitation statement and ensure appropriate procedures are in place.
• Familiarise yourself with the updated reporting guidance ahead of your next annual reporting cycle.
• Consider providing feedback to the Fundraising Regulator on the updated Code of Fundraising Practice and associated guidance resources.

While many almshouse charities undertake only limited fundraising, trustees should ensure that all fundraising activities remain compliant with current regulatory requirements.

2. Supported Housing Regulation: Almshouses exempt from new licensing regime

The Government has published its response to the Supported Housing Regulation Consultation, confirming that almshouses will be exempt from the new licensing regime being introduced under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

This is welcome news for the almshouse sector.

The new regime is aimed at tackling poor-quality supported housing and exempt accommodation providers, and will introduce licensing requirements, standards and enforcement powers for local authorities. The Government, however, has recognised that almshouses are distinct charitable housing providers and should not be subject to these additional licensing requirements.

What do trustees need to do?

At present, no immediate action is required. However, trustees should:

• Ensure that their charity’s governing documents and records clearly demonstrate its status as an almshouse charity.
• Keep records up to date, as local authorities may require evidence that a scheme qualifies for the exemption.
• Continue to maintain high standards of accommodation and support, as existing legal and regulatory obligations remain in place.
• Monitor future guidance and regulations, as further details on how exemptions will operate in practice are expected to be published.

The Almshouse Association will continue to review the detailed regulations as they emerge and will keep members informed of any developments that may affect the sector.

3. Charity Commission

The Charity Commission have made changes to their page: How to make changes to your charity’s governing document (CC36).

The guidance has been updated to clarify some legal requirements, and to improve usability. For example, some content has been separated into distinct sections. The revised guidance:

• clarifies when Charity Commission consent is required before making changes
• explains more clearly the different legal powers available to charities depending on their legal structure
• reorganises the guidance into separate sections to make it easier to navigate.

There are no significant new legal duties, but the guidance provides clearer explanations of the existing legal requirements.

Trustees should ensure that they are familiar with the changes, especially if they are considering updating their governing documents.

4. Registered Providers Page

Our Registered Providers webpage has been updated with the latest information and resources for almshouse charities that are registered with the Regulator of Social Housing.

The page brings together guidance, regulatory updates and key resources in one place to help registered providers stay informed and meet their regulatory responsibilities.

We encourage all registered providers to take a look at the latest content.

5. Building Safety Levy: Almshouses Exempt

The Building Safety Levy (BSL) comes into force on 1 October 2026.

Introduced as part of the Government’s post-Grenfell building safety reforms, the levy will require developers of most major residential developments in England to contribute towards the cost of remediating unsafe buildings.

The levy generally applies to developments creating 10 or more dwellings (or 30 or more student bedspaces) and is calculated using a rate per square metre set by the local authority. It is payable during the building control process rather than through planning.

Almshouse developments are explicitly exempt from the Building Safety Levy. This means that qualifying almshouse schemes will not be required to pay the levy, recognising the charitable, not-for-profit nature of almshouse housing and ensuring that the cost of the levy does not reduce the viability of new developments.

What do trustees need to do?

• If your charity is planning a new development, confirm at an early stage that the scheme qualifies for the almshouse exemption.
• Ensure your development team, building control body and professional advisers are aware that almshouse developments are exempt.
• Keep records demonstrating that the development meets the definition of an almshouse scheme, should this be requested during the building control process.

The exemption is a welcome recognition of the important role almshouse charities play in providing affordable, community-based housing and will help avoid unnecessary costs that could otherwise limit the delivery of new almshouse homes.

More can be read here about the Building Safety Levy here.

posted 7July 2026