Artificial intelligence is transforming many industries and housing regulation is no exception. We have embraced this technology in a careful and responsible way so that it supports professionals without ever replacing their judgement. Our goal is simple, we want to remove repetitive administrative tasks and give officers more time to focus on what matters most. Safer homes and better outcomes for residents.

One of the most helpful places where AI works behind the scenes is in generating a Schedule of Works. After an initial inspection, the system reviews the information provided and the officer then determines whether any remedial work may be required. The generated document then produces a clear and structure that summarises what needs to happen next. This feature saves time and reduces the burden of writing detailed reports from scratch. It also ensures that nothing important is overlooked. The professional remains firmly in control throughout and always has the opportunity to review, edit and approve the document before it is shared or finalised.

This careful balance between automated support and human expertise runs through every part of our AI design. Whenever the system prepares content or suggests wording the officer is invited to check the accuracy and confirm that it reflects their professional judgement. Nothing is ever published or actioned automatically. The officer is the final decision maker at every step.

We also include a human in the loop feature to help us continuously improve the quality of our tools. After reviewing AI-generated content, users can tell us how accurate they felt the output was. This feedback helps us refine the prompts that power our models and ensures that the system becomes more helpful over time. It keeps the professional community at the heart of how our technology evolves.

We believe AI should support housing professionals rather than replace them. It should simplify complex workflows, reduce administrative pressure and help officers focus on their expertise and decision-making. At The Housing App, we are committed to designing AI features that are transparent, reliable and always guided by the people who use them every day.

If you would like to see how these features work in practice or discuss how AI can support your team, we would be happy to talk.

My journey with The Noise App began back in 2017, when I first used the app and portal in a frontline operational setting. Even then, it was obvious that digital technology had enormous potential to transform how we investigate noise complaints. I saw firsthand how the app streamlined casework, strengthened evidence-gathering and brought clarity to situations

that were often difficult to navigate. Soon after, I became one of the very first to use app-generated evidence to secure an injunction in a serious anti-social behaviour case – a pivotal point that proved just how powerful the app could be.

Fast forward to 2022, and it was a genuine honour to be asked to step into the role of product owner at RHE. Since my appointment, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with our brilliant development team to enhance the platform in ways that truly make a difference. Together, we’ve expanded subscription options, introduced new functionality and focused on improving the investigation process for organisations and app users.

One standout enhancement introduced this year is our new Safeguarding feature – now available across all subscription levels. Using AI, the app detects potentially harmful content typed by the user and flags it for review. This feature has quickly become an invaluable tool for organisations seeking to protect and support their communities. 

As I look back on 2025, the numbers tell a powerful story of engagement, growth and impact:

• 350 days of audio captured by app users

• 985,166 noise reports

• 4,053 reports received on 11 July 2025, our busiest day

• 46,927 new registrations

These statistics are nothing short of remarkable and reflect the trust that our users place in the app. We’ve also seen a clear rise in user feedback, with ratings climbing across the major app stores. Today, The Noise App holds an impressive 4.5 rating on iOS and 4.3 on the Google Play Store, demonstrating its growing endorsement.

One of our proudest milestones this year was our launch into the Netherlands – a significant step in our journey to support noise investigation and community wellbeing across Europe. With further expansion planned for 2026, the coming year promises to be even more exciting.

As we close the chapter on 2025, I’m incredibly proud of what The Noise App has achieved. From safeguarding innovation to international growth, this has been a year defined by progress, purpose and partnership. Here’s to 2026 and another year of helping organisations, supporting communities and driving forward the future of noise investigation.

As environmental health professionals, we all know that food safety law never stands still. The landscape is continually shifting, and keeping up with what’s coming next can be challenging. In this short blog, we look at key developments on the horizon and what they mean for our work. 

A new era: The SPS agreement and future trade alignment 

You may have heard the term ‘SPS’, but what does it mean in practice? When the UK left the EU, retained EU food legislation became assimilated law on 1 January 2024. Any legislation still bearing ‘EU’ or ‘EC’ in the title now falls into that category. Building on the historical 1995 SPS Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the UK and EU reached a new, modernised SPS agreement on 19 May 2025. Its purpose is to ease trade barriers, support regulatory reform and strengthen post-Brexit trading relationships. 

This is likely to prompt a review, led by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), of UK domestic food safety legislation, particularly where dynamic alignment with EU law is needed. The purpose of this is to ensure that there is an interconnection between our risk based domestic regulation, together with the novel food frameworks and to ensure that new and emerging risks are captured.  

Now that SPS implementation is underway, we’ll continue to follow and report on developments as they unfold. 

Updated food law codes of practice 

Following a 12-week consultation with local authorities and key stakeholders, the food law codes of practice and practice guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland were updated and published in October 2025: Food and Feed Codes of Practice (FSA).  

Key changes include: 

• A stronger competency-based approach for local authority officers 

  
  

• Modernised risk-rating systems prioritising high-risk and non-compliant businesses 

  
  

• Improved consistency across the UK, while recognising regional differences 

  
  

• Greater use of digital tools and remote assessments. 

These updates aim to help local authorities target their resources where they can have the greatest impact on public health, including wider options for monitoring compliance. 

Post-budget: A new national system for large businesses 

In the recent budget, the FSA was asked by UK Government, to develop a new national system of regulation for highly compliant large businesses in England, including major national retail chains. This change is likely to spark significant and enthusiastic discussion across the profession, especially around how the system will evolve in collaboration with local authorities and primary authorities. 

Novel foods: A streamlined regulatory framework 

The novel foods sector continues to expand rapidly. In April 2025, the Food and Feed (Regulated Products) (Amendment, Revocation, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025 came into force, simplifying the regulatory framework in Great Britain. 

This now removes the 10-year renewal requirement for authorisations and allows authorisations to come into effect immediately following ministerial decision; once ministers decide to authorise a novel food, the product is approved for the market by being added to an official online public register without the need for secondary legislation. This makes the process more efficient and brings it in line with other regulated product regimes.  

Food fraud: Strengthened enforcement powers 

From 1 May 2025, the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) gained new powers under PACE, enabling investigators to apply for and execute warrants with appropriate safeguards. This represents a significant step forward in tackling food crime and was widely welcomed across the sector. 

And finally: A Christmas message and turkey safety tips 

To help keep your festive season safe, here are some essential tips for preparing and cooking your Christmas turkey: 

• Defrost your turkey in the fridge and place it on a tray to catch drips 

  
  

• Use separate chopping boards and utensils for raw poultry 

  
  

• Never wash your turkey — splashes can spread harmful bacteria 

  
  

• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat 

  
  

• Cook the turkey until it is piping hot throughout and the juices run clear, and if using a thermometer probe, ensure the thickest part of the meat reaches one of the following safe time–temperature combinations: 

  
  

• 60°C for 45 minutes 

  
  

• 65°C for 10 minutes 

  
  

• 70°C for 2 minutes 

  
  

• 75°C for 30 seconds 

  
  

• 80°C for 6 seconds 

And just in case you’ve misplaced the cooking instructions on the label, here is a basic guide courtesy of the FSA:  

• Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan, Gas Mark 4) and cook for: 

  
  

• 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes for a turkey that weighs under 4.5kg 

  
  

• 40 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs between 4.5kg and 6.5kg 

  
  

• 35 minutes per kg for a turkey that weighs over 6.5kg 

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Christmas! 

As festivities draw nearer and we head towards the end of the year, we inevitably find ourselves reflecting on all that has unfolded over the last 12 months. In the world of housing regulation, 2025 has certainly been a year of considerable development and change for both the social and private rented sectors. 

For social housing, wheels were set in motion early in January, continuing right through to November: 

• The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) held a public consultation inviting views on how Awaab’s law might be applied in relation to timescales for repairs. This ran from January until March, with the government publishing its response to the findings in June, alongside the publication of draft regulations that same month.  

  
  

• Another two consultations by MHCLG from July to September were held, one looking at a potential expansion of the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) to social housing (it currently applies only to the private rented sector) and the other at possible updates to the Decent Home Standard (DHS).  

  
  

• Updates and amendments to the electrical safety regulations were approved by Parliament on 23 September, which extended these requirements to now apply to the social rented sector, as well as bringing in additional new requirements for social landlords in relation to electrical equipment provided as part of a tenancy. 

  
  

• The finalised regulations providing the details for Awaab’s law were approved by Parliament also on 23 September, with the first phase (for significant damp and mould hazards and all emergency hazards) taking effect shortly afterwards on 27 October.  

  
  

• Finally, the updated and amended Electrical Safety Standard regulations came into force for social housing on 1 November for existing tenancies.   

For the private rented sector, while it may not look like quite as much has happened on paper, in reality, major changes have occurred: 

• The public consultation around the DHS, as mentioned above and running from July to September, was also relevant for the PRS, with part of the consultation focussed on its possible extension to the private sector.  

  
  

• The Renters’ Rights Bill received royal assent to become an act on 27 October 2025. While only a single piece of legislation, it could be described as one of the most noteworthy pieces of regulation for quite some time, representing a seismic shift in the sector. 

  
  

• And despite the end of year being almost upon us, a number of the duties and powers within the Renters’ Rights Act, including those relevant for local authority investigations and enforcement, come into effect from 27 December. 

  
  

Looking ahead to 2026, more changes are on the cards: 

• The Electrical Safety Regulations come into force for all remaining tenancies in the social rented sector from 26 May 2026. 

  
  

• The responses from government to the MEES and DHS consultations that ended in September have yet to be published. These are expected in the early part of the year and will be worth reading closely when they are released.  

  
  

• The next part of the Renters’ Rights Act will come into force on 1 May 2026. Further implementation will follow later in the year with the introduction of the landlord database and landlord ombudsman (Phase 2 of the government’s implementation road map).  

  
  

• The Renters’ Rights Act also brought in, under Part 1, section 60 and Part 3, the provisions that commit Awaab’s law and the DHS to be extended to the private rented sector through secondary regulations. As of yet, there is no confirmed commencement date for either of these parts (as the aforementioned secondary regulations are needed), but the government’s response to the DHS consultation carried out earlier this year will be particularly interesting to read, bearing this in mind.  As for extending of Awaab’s law to the PRS, there is likely to be further public consultation through this coming year on its application, with industry and government monitoring how its current implementation is going in the social rented sector.  

  
  

• Following the review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), led by housing experts at RHE Global, MHCLG has confirmed its intention to proceed with formal due process and implement the new HHSRS regulations and guidance for England. It is expected that the new regulations will be introduced to Parliament in the first part of the year, with their full implementation several months later, allowing time for local authorities, landlords, housing professionals and other stakeholders to adapt to the revised framework, update procedures and ensure compliance.  

It certainly looks like 2026 will be another busy year in the world of housing regulation, with much to keep track of across all sectors.