RICS support to meet the new Competency and Conduct Social Housing Standard.
- sarahchaudhry0
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
These new requirements were introduced through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which grants the Regulator of Social Housing the power to set the standard.
Why does this matter?
The Competence and Conduct Standard is one of several measures introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower fire and the findings of the Social Housing White Paper.
Its purpose is to ensure that customers are listened to, treated with respect and dignity, and receive a consistently professional service.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023
The act says, ‘the regulator may set standards for registered providers relating to the competence and conduct of individuals involved in the provision of services in connection with the management of social housing (“relevant individuals”)’.
The act says that there maybe specific rules about:
(a) The knowledge, skills, and experiences for relevant individuals, and
(b) The conduct to be expected of the relevant individual in their dealing with tenants.
The act says that senior housing executives and managers maybe required to do a specified qualification in housing or a type of qualification in housing management or be working towards achieving such a qualification.
The provisions say providers must take steps to make sure relevant individuals have the required qualification.
The relevant individual is defined as a service provider, a senior housing executive, and a senior housing manager.
The senior housing executive must do, or have a foundation degree or a level 5 qualification.
Level 5 qualifications are considered higher than A-Levels but do not always require a full degree, and they offer practical skills and knowledge for specific careers.
A senior manager or an individual who provides services must do, or have a level 4 qualification.
The act includes services provided by management services agreements.
Effective from October 2026.
Following a consultation by the Conservative government in February 2024 on the practicalities of implementation, the Labour government in July 2025 said that the standard will come into force in October 2026.
The Local Government response.
The Local Government Association in April 2024 said that they, ‘support the overarching principle of a broad, outcomes-focused Competence and Conduct Standard which will ensure councils as registered providers of social housing have a policy in place which sets out their approach to managing and developing the skills, knowledge, experience and conduct of those of their staff who are relevant individuals.’
They raise concerns about the practical implementation, saying there are many changes impacting the sector and that they should be coordinated so that landlords can respond to them, and they say the cost is an issue.
The Registered Provider response.
The National Housing Federation in April 2024 responded to the consultation, asking for:
- A transition period of at least five years.
- More consideration about how the standard will affect small and supported housing providers.
- Measures to reduce disruption, which included passporting existing qualifications and considering how very experienced staff can be fast-tracked.
- Exemptions for staff in their final years of service.
Professional body response.
The RICS in February 2024 said they 'have been working with DLUHC to highlight the benefits provided by professional body qualifications and memberships.
They say, DLUHC is proposing that where individuals belong to a professional body, but the qualifications don’t meet the minimum standard they are looking for, individuals can achieve compliance through relevant CPD rather than undertake an entirely new qualification.
DLUHC specifically references the importance of RICS qualifications within their proposals and how suitable CPD can support members in complying with the new standards.’
We are pleased to work with candidates working towards the AssocRICS and MRICS designations.
The Chartered Institute of Housing in July 2025 said that they expect their level 4 and 5 qualifications will meet the required competency standard, and we are pleased to work with them.
Preparing for the new Standard.
The HQN's July 2025 advice note on preparing for the new Competence and Conduct Standard says:
- Each provider is expected to define what competence and conduct look like for their employees and services.
- The focus is likely to be on systems, evidence, and outcomes.
- Organisations will need to understand which roles are in scope and show how they are managing any gaps.
- Boards, committees, and governance teams must have the right information to demonstrate compliance.
They say to comply with the new standards organisations must have:
- An up-to-date written policy setting out their approach to developing and maintaining the skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours of employees in scope.
- Ensure this approach is tailored to different roles with clear learning and development pathways.
- Embed an appropriate code of conduct that is understood and consistently applied across the organisation.
- Take responsibility for assessing their workforce regularly, including employees of any contractors providing services on their behalf, and address any competence gaps.
Board briefing.
HACT's NED briefing from March 2024 for Non-Executive Director's takes a risk-based approach to the next standard.
What to expect.
The Regulator of Social Housing is yet to confirm the final standard, and if the NHF is correct, then we can expect to see a consultation issued soon.
How we can help.
For RICS support to meet the new standard, you can contact us.
We have experience in supporting aspiring MRICS on many pathways, including building surveying, corporate real estate, facilities management, funding and finance, land and resources, management consultancy, project management, and residential.
We can help AssocRICS candidates to.
Sarah Chaudhry
Director
Surveyor Store Ltd
07521 085400
Reference list and weblinks.
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/36 - Section 21.
Government consultation. February 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/competence-and-conduct-standard-for-social-housing-consultation.
The local Government response. April 2024. https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/lga-submission-dluhcs-consultation-direction-regulator-social
The Registered Provider response. April 2024. https://www.housing.org.uk/resources/the-competence-and-conduct-standard/
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). February 2024. https://www.rics.org/news-insights/new-competence-and-conduct-standards-for-english-social-housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing. July 2025. https://www.cih.org/knowledge-hub/professionalism-and-training/competence-and-conduct-standard/
The HQN. July 2025. https://hqnetwork.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250703-Preparing-for-the-new-Competence-and-Conduct-Standard-Jane-Atherton.pdf
HACT NED briefing. March 2024. https://hact.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NED-Briefing-notes_20MAR2024.pdf
The MRICS pathways guide: https://www.rics.org/content/dam/ricsglobal/documents/join-rics/pathway-guides-requirements-and-competencies-280224.pdf
For AssocRICS: https://www.rics.org/join-rics/sector-pathways
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