Heat Network Regulations
66% of heat networks are owned/managed by social housing providers and typically found in supported and older people’s schemes. From 27 Jan 26, a new regulatory regime came into force to better protect consumers, ensuring they benefit from a more reliable system as well as good customer service, fair pricing, and easy to understand energy bills.
Damp and Mould
Living with damp and mould significantly impacts anyone’s health and wellbeing, and particularly on vulnerable, older people. In 2025, Awaab’s Law strengthened, in England, housing providers’ responsibilities for addressing damp and mould and in Wales a new Welsh Housing Quality Standard was introduced with mandatory timescales for investigating and remedying hazards including damp and mould.
Digital Switchover
By 2027, analogue telephone services will be switched off as the UK’s telecoms infrastructure is upgraded to digital connectivity.
Bereavement and End of Life Support
The impact of the loss of a resident on scheme staff and other residents cannot be underestimated especially if a death is unexpected. Whilst scheme managers do not have the same direct role as other voluntary/statutory agencies in providing bereavement support or supporting an individual at the end of life, they play a key role in signposting residents to specialist support and may provide ‘informal’ support.
Pest Infestation in Independent Living Schemes
Pests can cause anxiety and distress, carry disease, cause food poisoning and skin conditions, trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate existing conditions, increase risk of fire and electrocution and lead to substantial damage to property or personal possessions.
LGBTQ+ Older People and Sheltered & Retirement Housing
Many LGBTQ+ people have faced years of discrimination impacting their expectations of housing, support and care as they age. Specialist schemes are rare and independent living providers do not always promote schemes as ‘LGBTQ+ friendly’. Incidents of discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people when they move into schemes have also increased.
Communal Lounges
Communal lounges are a key feature of independent living schemes and are used for resident meetings as well as a wide variety of social activities. They are also sometimes used by staff for meetings or training, consultation, and engagement activities as well as by external providers to delivery information sessions delivered such as keep fit or healthy eating.
