We have a huge crisis in many of our housing markets, but we want a housing system that works for everyone.
CIH’s foundation as a social purpose organisation provides opportunities for us to challenge thinking and decisions, in a constructive and evidence-based manner.
What we do
- Publish research and briefings on important housing issues, including the annual statistical publication UK Housing Review
- Work closely with senior policy makers in all parts of the UK to shape the housing agenda
- Strive to improve the media’s coverage of housing issues and inform the public
- Draw on the expertise and opinions of our members to shape our views, arguments and priorities.
Get in touch
If you've got a question for the policy team, you can send us an email to policyandpractice@cih.org and a member of the team will get back to you shortly. You can also follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn for all the latest CIH policy updates.
The UK Housing Review 2025
The annual publication of the UK Housing Review is packed with statistics and analysis about housing, households and welfare benefits across the UK and internationally.
A crucial resource for housing professionals, leaders, and policymakers across the UK's public and private housing sectors. It's free for members to download.
England policy developments summary tracker
This tracker aims to highlight recent and ongoing headline policy and legislative changes in England, relevant to the housing sector.
CIH’s responses and further updates can be found on our latest news and publications section. For further information or feedback into our responses, please contact policyandpractice@cih.org.
Last updated 5 February 2026
Announcements, consultations and inquiries
| Item | Policy area | Timeline | Further information |
| Autumn Budget 2025 | All | Deadline: 26 November 2025 | Member briefing CIH reaction CIH submission |
| Government strategies: Long-term housing strategy Homelessness strategy Child poverty strategy Violence against women and girls strategy |
All | Long-term housing strategy: waiting on an update Homelessness strategy: published 11 Dec 2025 Member briefing CIH reaction Child poverty strategy: published 5 Dec 2025 CIH reaction Violence against women and girls strategy: published 18 Dec 2025 CIH reaction See specific updates on these announcements for migrants in our Housing Rights newsletter |
|
| Social and Affordable Homes Programme | Development | Bids to open February 2026 | Announced at Spending Review - June 2025 Prospectuses launched - November 2025: Homes England Greater London Authority Member briefing |
| Warm homes plan Fuel poverty strategy Private rented sector (PRS) minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform |
Sustainability | Warm Homes Plan: published 21 January 2026 Member briefing Fuel poverty strategy: published 21 January 2026 Government consultation response and decision: published 21 January 2026. Partial government consultation response and decision: published 21 January 2026. |
|
| Housing conditions in England inquiry | All | Closed: 15 August 2025 Committee evidence sessions ongoing and waiting on report |
HCLG Committee inquiry CIH response
|
| How to implement Social Rent convergence consultation | Finance | Closed: 27 August 2025 Decision announced 28 January 2026 |
MHCLG consultation CIH/Savills analysis CIH response MHCLG January 2026 decision and CIH response |
| Building safety regulator inquiry | Building safety Development |
Closed: 31 August 2025 | House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee call for evidence CIH response Second report published 11 December 2025 |
| Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes | Asset management | Closed: 10 September 2025 Decision announced 28 January 2026
|
MHCLG consultation Member WYNTK briefing guideCIH responseMHCLG January 2026 policy statement and CIH response. Member briefing to follow shortly. |
| Improving the Energy Efficiency of Socially Rented Homes in England (MEES) consultation | Sustainability Asset management |
Closed: 10 September 2025 Decision announced 28 January 2026 |
MHCLG and DESNEZ consultation Member WYNTK briefing guide CIH response MHCLG and DESNEZ consultation outcome |
| New Towns | All | Task Force report and initial government response: 28 September 2025 Full response to Task Force report due Spring 2026 |
|
| Support for housebuilding in London | Planning and development | Closed: 22 January 2026 | Consultations split between MHCLG and GLA: MHCLG Consultation GLA Consultation CIH response to GLA consultation |
| Fair pay agreement in adult social care | Health and housing Supported housing |
Deadline: 16 January | |
| Casey Commission | Housing and social care | Open Commission under 2 phases, final reporting phase by 2028 |
|
| Unlocking land for housing | Planning and development | Deadline: 23 February 2026 | Public Accounts Committee inquiry |
| National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system | Planning and development | Deadline: 10 March 2026 | MHCLG Consultation CIH reaction |
| RICS residential stock condition survey consultation | Asset management | Closed: 26 January 2026 | |
| Single construction regulator prospectus | Development Building safety |
Deadline: 20 March 2026 | |
| Housing disrepair claims call for evidence | Asset management | Deadline: 12 February 2026 | MHCLG and MoJ call for evidence |
| Enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates Reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements |
Leasehold Home ownership |
Deadlines: 12 March 2026 | MHCLG consultation: Enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates MHCLG consultation: Reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements
|
| Older Persons Taskforce | All | Taskforce report – 26 November 2024 Waiting on government response |
|
| Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance consultation | Planning and development | Deadline: 10 March 2026 | MHCLG consultation |
| Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) consultation | Sustainability | Deadline: 15 April 2026 | DESNZ consultation |
| Home Energy Model (HEM) consultation | Sustainability | Deadline: 18 arch 2026 | MHCLG and DESNZ consultation |
Legislation and regulation
| Item | Policy area | Timeline | Further information |
| Awaab’s Law | Asset management | Phase one of implementation began 27 October 2025. Following phases in 2026 and 2027. |
|
| Renters’ Rights Act | Leasehold Private rented sector |
Royal Assent received on 27 October 2025 Part 1 commencement for private landlords: 1 May 2026 |
|
| Planning and Infrastructure Act | Planning Development |
Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 | |
| English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill | Local authority Devolution |
Introduced 10 July 2025 | Currently in the House of Lords Bill and tracker Bill guidance WYNTK member briefing |
| Leasehold and Commonhold Bill – Draft Bill | Leasehold Home ownership |
Draft Bill and policy statement published 27 January 2026 |
White paper |
| Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 | Leasehold | Consultation was expected in summer 2025. This has been delayed due to legal challenges. | Waiting on an update following legal appeal process |
| Competence & Conduct Standard | Professionalism | Commences October 2026 Direction to the Regulator, policy statement, impact statement and government response published September 2025 Competence and Conduct included in the RSH consultation on a revised Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard published 9 December 2025 and response deadline 3 March 2026. |
CIH website - Knowledge Hub |
| Social tenants access to information (STAIRs) | All | Consultation closed 2024 Commencement in two phases: October 2026 and April 2027 Included in the RSH consultation on a revised Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard published 9 December 2025 and response deadline 3 March 2026. Housing Ombudsman’s consultation on its role in STAIRS complaints: Closing date 17 March 2026 |
Initial consultation CIH response to consultation Member briefing RSH consultation Housing Ombudsman's consultation |
| Electrical safety standards guidance | Asset management | Regulations were updated in 2025 to include the social housing sector Guidance published 1 November 2025 RSH consultation on a revised TSM Direction to include electrical safety published 9 December 2025 and response deadline 3 March 2026 - [BS06] [Electrical safety checks] |
|
| Draft revised HHSRS operating and enforcement guidance (Section Nine of the Housing Act 2004) | Asset management | Government confirmed implementation of the review of HHSRS: waiting on an update | |
| Residential PEEPS | Building safety Asset management |
Regulations laid on 4 July 2025. Final guidance published 2 December 2025 Will come into force 6 April 2026 |
MHCLG guidance Member briefing
|
| Building safety regulator - establishment of new body and transfer of functions | Building safety Asset management Planning and development |
Regulations laid November 2025. In force from 27 January 2026. |
The Building Safety Regulator (Establishment of New Body and Transfer of Functions etc.) Regulations 2026 - Transfer of BSR functions from the Health and Safety Executive to a newly established statutory body. |
| Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 | Building safety Planning and development |
Regulations laid November 2025. In force from 1 October 2026. |
Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 |
| Approved Document B – removal of national fire test classifications (BS 476 references) | Building safety | In force 2 March 2025 – then September 30, 2026 Amendments booklet for second stair provisions in residential buildings over 18m - then takes effect 2 September 2029 (following transition period) |
Approved Document B |
Rooted in Resilience - CIH presidential campaign
Rooted in Resilience is a CIH presidential campaign, by Julie Haydon.
In housing today, resilience isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. With pressures mounting across every corner of the sector, housing professionals are navigating one of the most demanding periods in recent history. Yet in the face of challenge, we continue to show something extraordinary, courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the people and communities we serve.
That spirit is at the heart of Julie Haydon’s presidential campaign: Rooted in Resilience.
Find out more about our campaign work
