RSH reveals plan to bring in electrical safety TSM during new consultation

With the introduction of new legal electrical safety requirements on social landlords this year, the RSH can now move ahead with the TSM. If introduced, it will bring the total number of TSMs landlords have to report on up to 23.

As the TSM relates to electrical safety checks at the year end, the regulator anticipates it will be in place to cover the 2026/27 reporting year for large landlords, and all subsequent reporting years.

The new requirements for competence and conduct are aimed at driving greater professionalism and higher standards by ensuring relevant housing staff have the required skills, knowledge, and behaviours to deliver a high standard of service to tenants.

The proposals were first announced by the Conservative government in 2023 and were developed in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which heard that a lack of appropriate staff training contributed to the tragedy.

The new standard will bring in new requirements around staff competency, including mandatory qualifications for an estimated 30,000 senior housing managers and executives.

Senior housing managers and executives will also be required to hold, or be working towards, a housing management qualification.

The STAIRs requirements will give tenants of private registered providers (PRPs) a similar level of access to information relating to the management of social housing that local authority tenants already have.

PRPs will have to proactively publish certain information about their activities that is set out in the government’s policy statement, and tenants will be able to formally request relevant information and receive timely responses. 

Under the plans, a tenant or their representative, such as a lawyer, can request information for free. This data could include health and safety inspections, repair actions and repair times.

Tenants experiencing damp and mould could request information on how many other homes in their building have the same problem and what action the landlord has taken in terms of repairs.

Fiona MacGregor, chief executive at the RSH, said: “The proposed changes to our standards we are consulting on will enable the sector to further improve outcomes for social housing tenants and deliver good services. 

“All the changes being consulted on are intended to enhance the transparency and accountability of landlords to their tenants.

“We are keen to receive views on the proposals from registered providers, tenants and anyone with an interest in social housing.”

The consultation runs until 3 March 2026.