News
Jeremy Manners
Welcome to April’s edition, unpacking some newsworthy items on housing conditions, renters’ rights, local government reorganisation and fly-tipping. We have some policy and legal updates to let you know about and take ‘a closer look’ at RIAMS guidance on works in default. We also introduce the latest Question of the Month from Dr Tim Everett, encourage you to grab your seat at the Noise Summit 2026 and bring you up to date with the new and improved HHSRS. So, allow yourself five minutes and keep reading for your monthly update on all things environmental health.
RHE Housing 2026 in Birmingham brought together housing professionals from across the sector and with different perspectives, contributing to an energetic and vibrant conference. We’ll be releasing videos and snapshots from the day, where we were first to announce the start of the implementation of the revised HHSRS. Our keynote speaker, Luke Spanton from the MHCLG, shared this big news at the conference, which has led to us organising a special Housing Roundtable on 23 April dedicated to the new HHSRS. Also, this session will give presenter Ali Thomas the opportunity to run through our new training resources based on the revised system.
The conference brought together a diverse group of speakers with valuable insights and information to share. For me, Kwajo Tweneboa was a highlight. Kwajo is a campaigner for better housing, and his powerful presentation and experiences really resonated throughout the day. His case studies were emotional, and his message was clear – the work local authority practitioners do really matters. And if you do it right, go the extra mile and think of the individuals you are working with, you can have an incredible impact on people’s lives. I was also thrilled to meet ‘The Independent Landlord’ Suzanne Smith; we’ve been in contact for a while but never face to face. If ever you need reminding that most private landlords want to do the right thing and provide safe and sustainable homes in the PRS, take a look at Suzanne’s website or social media. I’m not forgetting the rest of the speakers and everyone involved in the day – there are too many to mention here, but they were all fantastic. See you in 2027! If you couldn't join us on the day, the conference e-learning package is now available for £45, giving you access to key sessions and 4 hours CPD on demand, you can access here.
Next up, our Noise Summit 2026: Domestic Noise Nuisance will be held online over two half days on 2 and 3 June 2026. At just £45 per ticket for access to both days, this event brings together a leading line-up of experts, practitioners and policymakers to explore the growing challenges of domestic noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour. Book your tickets here.
The new rules for investigating and remedying hazards for housing associations in Wales were introduced on 1 April via an addendum to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Our new course: ‘The HHSRS and WHQS: Essential Training for Social Housing Professionals in Wales’, incorporating all of the updates is ready to book now. We’re also in the process of developing a RIAMS procedure on the new requirements.
In the news
MHCLG have released ‘Landlords, here are 6 ways to get yourself ready for new renters’ rights’ to promote the new rules coming in on 1 May in England and encourage compliance. The key points highlighted for landlords are as follows:
1. Read up on the rules and sign up for government alerts
2. Get vital paperwork ready
3. Fix your rent increase routine
4. Check your ads are compatible with the act
5. Keep a proper trail of your due diligence, and
6. Student landlords, write to tenants by 31 May about seeking possession.
So, a few simple steps that landlords need to take. A landlord checklist has also been made available along with an explainer, all linking back to the Housing Hub campaign page.
Local government reorganisation in England: The government announced on 25 March that it had received and agreed to a number of proposals to reorganise local authorities across 21 areas and repay some significant council debt, with the aim of modernising local governance and enhancing economic growth. Full details can be found here.
Awaab’s law: The ombudsman has raised concerns about the second phase implementation of Awaab’s law in a maladministration report published in March. Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman, highlights that ‘early warning signs’ are being missed and that housing associations may struggle to deal with more than one hazard under the Phase 2 requirements. His report highlights landlord failings in dealing with hazards and makes it clear that the next phase could present further challenges for registered providers who are struggling to manage the current demands around damp and mould.
In the report, severe maladministration is defined as a situation where a landlord has failed significantly in their duties, showing serious service failure that caused residents harm, distress or disadvantage.
Fly-tipping: Following on from last month’s highlighted stories about this subject, the crime is back in the news again, with a BBC report stating that fly-tippers may face having to clean up their rubbish as part of tougher punishments being proposed by the government.
Legal and regulatory insights
The Future of Food Regulation Programme: The Food Standards Agency board has agreed the scope and set out plans to modernise the food regulatory system. The programme will explore:
Enhancing the food business registration system
A national approach to regulation for some large businesses
Improving guidance to local authorities and businesses
Strengthening enforcement powers
Improving consumer information.
Weekly food waste collections are now mandatory in England: From 31 March 2026, waste collection authorities must provide weekly food waste collections from all households in their area: Government guidance on ensuring good waste collection services.
Mandatory certification for fire risk assessors: The government has launched a consultation on introducing mandatory certification for fire risk assessors. The proposals, which come from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, seek to strengthen the standards and competencies of those who undertake fire risk assessments. The consultation runs until 18 June.
As already mentioned here, new rules for investigating and remedying hazards for housing associations in Wales came in 1 April via an addendum to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. These new rules, similar to Awaab’s Law in England, required prompt action to address significant hazards. Training available here.
The government has confirmed that it will delay the implementation of EPC reforms until 2027. The changes were originally planned for October 2026 to include multiple performance metrics and alignment with the home energy model (HEM), but concerns were raised by industry that the timeline was unrealistic. The delay applies to England and Wales, with Scotland following a similar path: Consultation outcome.
The government has laid the draft revised HHSRS operating guidance and enforcement guidance in Parliament, with the expectation that the new HHSRS will come into force in England in June. The principles of undertaking HHSRS assessments will remain the same, and the revisions will make the scoring outcomes easier to understand, reduce the number of hazards from 29 to 21 and introduce baseline indicators and new case studies (worked examples). The draft guidance can be found here on RIAMS, and training will be advertised soon.
The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 has been published by MHCLG. Landlords need to provide this information sheet to tenants whose tenancies were created before 1 May 2026, in PDF or hard copy form by 31 May 2026. And for new tenancies, landlords must give written information to all new tenants from 1 May (before the agreement is signed), as well as to those tenants who hadn’t previously been given a written tenancy agreement.
The Department for Communities has recently consulted on proposals to extend the notice period for evicting private tenants in Northern Ireland. The consultation, which closed at the end of March, sought views on extending eviction notice periods from four weeks to up to seven months (depending on tenancy length), with the aim of improving tenant security. Concerns have been raised that some landlords are already evicting tenants to avoid facing what are only proposals at this stage.
The Building Safety (Wales) Bill was passed in the Senedd and is expected to receive royal assent in the coming weeks. The bill contributes towards the building safety and remediation programme and has three core principles: safety, accountability and empowering resident voice. It came about following the Grenfell tragedy.
Extended licensing hours for the men’s football World Cup: Pubs are to be granted extended licensing hours for when England or Scotland are playing in this summer’s tournament. It is not a blanket extension and comes with some strict rules that are dependent on who is playing, the stage of the tournament and what time kick-off is. All other games not included in the extension will require a temporary event notice if landlords wish to extend their opening hours.
Guidance for English local authorities on licensing and enforcement responsibilities for privately kept primates was updated in March, in preparation for the licensing requirements that came into effect on 6 April. All keepers of primates (except zoos) must hold a licence and meet welfare conditions on care and management.
RIAMS in action
Since September, 45 new local authorities have subscribed to RIAMS Libraries, joining the hundreds of environmental health and local authority professionals already using the platform. RIAMS Libraries, the number one subscription platform for environmental health, provides a comprehensive library of practical and easily accessible procedures, notices, letters, guidance and forms covering all specialisms. Supporting local authorities in delivering robust and consistent enforcement, RIAMS provides a cost-effective solution for your team, keeping officers on the front line.
Scotland: If you work in environmental health in Scotland, and you are interested in being part of our expansion into the country, we’d love to hear from you. Please email me at jmanners@rheglobal.com for an informal discussion.
Activity: In March, we reviewed and updated 126 documents on RIAMS Libraries, including 60 procedures and 24 notices for England, Northern Ireland and Wales. We have also added 11 brand new procedures, documents and notices.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA)
A selection of our current documents related to the RRA are shown below. For more guidance and information, visit the housing module in RIAMS Libraries.
RRA procedures: These documents are all moving from draft to finalised as 1 May approaches:
Assured Tenancies, Grounds for Possession, Statement of Terms: Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HP253E)
Discrimination in the Rental Market: Part 1 Chapter 3 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HP255E)
Guidance Note: Right to Request Permission to Keep a Pet: Renters’ Rights Act 2025 HP258E)
Investigatory Powers: Part 4 Chapter 3 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HP247E)
Private Rented Sector Ombudsman (Landlord Redress Scheme) (HP254E)
Renters’ Rights Act 2025: Main Provisions (HP246E)
Rent Increases and Rent in Advance: Renters’ Right Act 2025 (HP251E)
Stating the Proposed Rent and Rental Bidding: Renters’ Right Act 2025 (HP257E)
The Private Rented Sector Database (HP249E)
DRAFT: Financial Penalties: Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HP248E)
Financial penalty notices representing the changes brought in by the RRA:
Housing Act 1988: New final notice and notice of intent to issue a financial penalty added
Protection from Eviction Act 1977: New final notice and notice of intent to issue a financial penalty added
Renters’ Rights Act 2025: New final notices and notices of intent to issue a financial penalty covering discrimination, rental bidding, not advertising proposed rent and encouraging a higher rent than advertised, and further notices covering the landlord database and ombudsman are ready for when these are finalised.
Notice of Entry Without Warrant (Occupier) Suspected Residential Tenancy: section 126(1)(c) Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN144E)
Notice of Entry Without Warrant (Owner) Suspected Residential Tenancy: section 126(5) Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN145E)
Notice of Entry Without Warrant to Business Premises (Routine Inspection): Section 118(3) Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN140E)
Notice Requiring Information from Any Person: Section 115 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN146E)
Notice Requiring Information from Relevant Person (and Covering Letter): Section 114 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN139E)
Notice to Occupiers of Business Premises Entered Without a Warrant: Section 119 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN147E)
Written Record of Seized Documents: Section 123 Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HN148E)
Application for a Warrant under Section 120 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (HS32E)
A closer look
Procedure: Works in Default (MP29)
Module: Enforcement
Relevant to: Practitioners involved in serving notices and enforcement
Countries: England, Northern Ireland and Wales
This procedure sets out the essential framework for using works in default (WID) as a robust enforcement tool across a wide range of environmental health functions. It guides officers through when and how WID can be deployed (either alongside or instead of prosecution). From identifying contraventions and serving enforcement notices, through to arranging contractor works and recovering costs, the procedure outlines a clear, legally grounded process. It also highlights key considerations such as powers of entry and the need for precise specifications and to ensure costs are reasonable and recoverable.
Crucially, the procedure emphasises consistency, legal compliance and practical decision-making at each stage, supporting officers to act confidently and effectively in protecting public health. Read the full procedure for England (MP29E), Wales (MP29W) or Northern Ireland (MP29N) available here, to understand the detailed process and requirements when carrying out WID.
If your organisation doesn’t yet subscribe to RIAMS Libraries, contact RHE Global to book your free demonstration and trial.
What’s new on RIAMS Communities?
The forums continue to provide a safe space for professional conversation and questions across environmental health. Local authority practitioners and environmental health students can join RIAMS Communities for free. Creating an account is simple with a .gov.uk or .ac.uk email address. Join the conversation at communities.riams.org.
Anonymous Doesn’t Mean Irrelevant
In March’s Question of the Month with Dr Tim Everett, he examines what obligations local authorities have to investigate anonymous housing complaints and explores the grey areas between discretion and duty. Discussing when a vague, untraceable complaint may justify no action at all, to when ignoring it could leave an LA legally exposed, Tim looks at how different powers and duties impose varying levels of responsibility. He challenges the assumption that anonymous reports can be safely sidelined, how LAs should avoid rigid, one-size-fits-all policies and raises important operational and ethical questions.
