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What are the biggest housing safety and compliance challenges in 2025 and how can providers respond?
- Ecosafe
- Jul 16
- 8 min read
Across the UK, housing providers are under growing pressure to deliver safer, more compliant, and more energy-efficient homes. With landmark legal rulings, policy reform, and stricter procurement rules on the table, the stakes have never been higher.
However, organisations anticipating change will be in a promising position to protect tenants, unlock funding, and protect their portfolios.
At Ecosafe Group, we help housing associations, local authorities, and property managers turn those pressures into practical solutions. Here’s what is driving change and how we can support you.
Is fire safety still the housing sector’s most significant legal risk?
Yes, and the risks are now legal, financial, and reputational. A fatal fire at Twinnell House in Bristol in September 2022 resulted in the death of a resident and multiple injuries, prompting an urgent recladding programme for 38 tower blocks. Though public authorities avoided prosecution, the incident highlights the immediate consequences of fire-safety failings and the costs of reactive fixes.
Fire safety concern: housing officer under pressure
A tenant with mobility needs asks, “What happens if there is a fire? Will I get out safely?” The officer pauses. The last update on the block’s fire risk assessment was in 2021, and they realise it is time to act.
Under the Building Safety Act, managers of high-risk buildings must:
Keep fire risk assessments current
Create PEEPs for vulnerable residents
Fix known defects quickly, or face enforcement
Case study:
We partnered with Plymouth Community Homes to improve fire safety at The Beacon, a community hub and residential complex with three levels of commercial space and 39 flats above.
Our team applied fire stopping and compartmentation works in the riser cupboards, sealing gaps around service penetrations using compound pours. This method closed off vertical fire routes across all levels, helping to contain fire and smoke whilst protecting residents and the public areas below.
Ecosafe is doing an excellent job here at The Beacon. We want to ensure our buildings meet the highest fire safety standards.”
- Beth Valentine, Commercial Premises Manager, Plymouth Community Homes.
Watch the full video testimonial here: Ecosafe and Plymouth Community Homes - The Beacon
Our fire services:
Are accessible homes being prioritised in new builds?
Yes, finally. In Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations is pushing to make accessibility a legal standard in all new homes. And in Yorkshire, 23 landlords have pledged to meet a new Affordable Homes Standard that includes inclusive design.
Accessibility challenge: great home, poor design
A housing provider gives a newly built flat to a tenant who is in a wheelchair. However, the doorways are too narrow, and the kitchen is not adaptable. The support worker flags the issue because the flat meets housing standards, but not the tenant's needs.
This story is still too familiar. Ecosafe helps providers deliver homes that meet real-world needs, such as installing level-access showers, widening doorways, or upgrading kitchens for independent living.
Case study: Home extension for a young disabled resident in Bournemouth
BCP Council commissioned Ecosafe Group to deliver a complete home extension for a young man with physical disabilities. The goal? To give him greater independence and make the home safer and more functional for the whole family.
We built a purpose-designed extension featuring:
A hoist system
A fully accessible wet room
New PVC doors, windows, and fire doors
A boiler upgrade with gas safety certification
Regular updates and full Building Control sign-off
We uncovered a 6-inch drainage issue requiring excavation and a design change during the works. We worked closely with the client to approve and implement the fix without compromising timelines. We coordinated boiler and kitchen replacements through our in-house teams, ensuring minimal disruption and a unified finish.
The result was a safer, more functional home that gave the resident the autonomy he deserved.
Our building services:
Are void property turnarounds creating back-ups for housing teams?
Yes, and the pressure is building. With social housing demand at record highs and lettings targets under constant scrutiny, voids must be filled quickly, safely, and to standard. Delays not only impact KPIs but also leave families waiting in temporary accommodation.
Void management pressure: too many properties, not enough capacity
A housing officer receives the keys back for three properties. Two need fire safety upgrades, and one has significant damp. All three need to be tenant-ready within 10 days. Internal teams are already stretched. They need reliable support and fast mobilisation.
At Ecosafe, we help councils and housing providers reduce turnaround times and improve property condition across:
Full void refurbishment packages
Compliance checks (EICR, gas, fire safety)
Deep cleans, waste removal and redecoration
Reactive repairs discovered post-handover
Case study: Full void renovation for BCP Council
We took on a severely neglected void property in Bournemouth. Our teams performed extensive work, including kitchen and bathroom refits, rewiring, damp treatment, plastering, and complete decoration, and returned the home to a lettable standard within two weeks.
The result was a modern, safe home ready for a new tenant, and one less family waiting in temporary accommodation.
Our void property services:
Can retrofit demand rise faster than budgets keep up?
Yes, and that tension is being felt across the social housing sector. As net-zero deadlines approach, housing providers are under pressure to improve energy efficiency, but rising material costs and labour shortages are stretching retrofit budgets.
Tenant concern: cold homes and high bills
A resident tells their housing officer her flat is always cold, even with the heating on. Her energy bill topped £200 last month. The officer knows she needs more than a boiler check; this home needs fast, fabric-first upgrades.
Ecosafe helps providers cross that bridge. We deliver practical retrofit solutions that improve comfort and compliance, without spiralling costs.
We support:
Works that meet SHDF
Insulation installs and ventilation upgrades
Low-VOC flooring solutions via the Recofloor Vinyl Take-Back Scheme
Integration of energy-efficient heating systems (via our Gas & Heating teams)
Retrofit works delivered in partnership with Ridgewater Energy under Warm Homes funding schemes
Case study: Healthy Homes retrofit in Dorset
As part of a Warm Homes programme, we partnered with Ridgewater Energy to deliver boiler services, breakdowns and replacement improvements across a group of older properties.
Continue reading: Ridgewater Energy Partnership Overview
The result is warmer, safer homes that meet modern environmental and health standards, with minimal disruption to residents.
Our retrofit services:
What’s changing in procurement regulations for 2025?
The Procurement Act 2023 introduces new rules regarding supplier eligibility, transparency, and payment practices. For housing providers, this means greater scrutiny when awarding contracts, primarily through frameworks.
Procurement challenge: choosing the right partner
A procurement manager reviews submissions for a new compliance contract. Several lack mobilisation plans or evidence of regulatory alignment. One stands out: it is a pre-approved framework supplier with proven delivery, complete documentation, and clear audit trails.
At Ecosafe, we support housing providers by making procurement simple, transparent, and fully compliant.
We are already a trusted delivery partner on:
Through these frameworks, clients gain:
Pre-qualified supply chain access
Faster procurement with reduced risk
Support for retrofit, M&E, and compliance work under contract
1. N9 Framework Company News:
2. CHIC Healthy Homes & M&E Frameworks News:
3. Fusion21 Building Improvements Framework Article:
Are we giving housing teams the support they need on safety and compliance challenges?
Housing officers, compliance leads, and voids managers are under increasing pressure to maintain safe, tenant-ready homes, often with stretched internal resources and rising expectations.
Housing team pressure: too many jobs, not enough time
By mid-morning, a housing officer has logged 12 property issues. One tenant is waiting on a gas cert to move in. Another flat is stuck in a void status and is missing final safety checks. The officer needs a contractor who turns up, communicates clearly, and delivers without chasing.
Ecosafe works in partnership with housing teams to take that pressure off. We provide:
Roofing and insulation works
Damp, mould and ventilation upgrades
Void refurbishments and structural repairs
Planned maintenance that prevents emergencies
Compliance work, including EICRs, gas checks, and fire safety
Reactive repairs with fast response times and transparent updates
Case study: Affordable chimney removal at a void property in Bournemouth
For a void property managed by BCP Council, our roofing team removed a deteriorating chimney that had become a source of leaks and potential mould risk. Rather than patching the issue, we proposed and delivered a long-lasting answer:
Removed the chimney to below roof level
Installed new rafters, breathable felt, and treated battens
Retiled the area to match seamlessly with the existing roof
“This solution improved insulation, reduced long-term maintenance risk, and brought the property back to lettable standard, quickly and cost-effectively.”
- Roofing Contracts Manager, Ecosafe Group
See our here: Roofing Services
Looking for a trusted contractor?
Housing Officers
See how we help projects stay compliant from design to handover
Request support for creating tenant-specific evacuation strategies
Book a fire risk assessment and check for compartmentation breaches
Ask about SHDF, Recofloor, or accessibility upgrades that protect stock
Understand how we can help housing with safety and compliance challenges in 2025
Procurement Teams
View our track record on invoice turnaround and policy alignment
Let us prepare your site mobilisation and framework-ready compliance packs
Visit www.ecosafegroup.co.uk, email our Business Development Manager liam@ecosafegroup.co.uk or call us on 07444569017 to discuss how we can support your compliance, retrofit, and maintenance intents in Dorset, the South West, Sussex, and the UK.
What are the biggest housing safety and compliance challenges in 2025 FAQ’s
What is a void property in social housing?
A void property is a home that’s currently unoccupied and not generating rental income. It often requires repairs, safety checks, or renovations before it can be re-let to a new tenant.
Why is fast turnaround important for void properties?
The longer a property is empty, the more income is lost and the higher the risk of vandalism or deterioration. A fast, high-quality turnaround helps housing providers get homes back into use quickly and safely.
What services does Ecosafe Group offer for void properties?
We deliver full void property solutions including roofing, fire safety upgrades, kitchens, bathrooms, damp and mould remediation, flooring, plumbing, and electrical works, ready for re-let.
How does Ecosafe ensure compliance during void works?
Our teams work in line with local authority void standards. We provide full compliance reports, detailed handovers, and health & safety assurance on every project.
Who do you work with on void programmes?
We work with housing associations, local councils, property managers, and procurement leads across the South West, London, and Sussex.
How can I book a void property assessment with Ecosafe?
You can get in touch with our Business Development Manager at liam@ecosafegroup.co.uk or call 01202 017917 to discuss your project.
What’s changing in procurement regulations for 2025?
The Procurement Act 2023 takes full effect in 2025. It introduces stricter rules for transparency, performance, and payment practices across public sector contracting.
Does Ecosafe work through public sector frameworks?
Yes. Ecosafe is approved on multiple frameworks, enabling us to deliver compliant, high-quality services across London, the South West and Sussex.
How does Ecosafe support housing teams with void property works?
We partner with housing officers and voids managers to deliver fast, compliant turnarounds and long-term property improvements, reducing workload and complaints.
Can Ecosafe help reduce complaints from tenants or housing staff?
Yes. Our void, reactive, and planned maintenance services are designed to reduce the need for repeated visits, increase first-time fix rates, and improve tenant satisfaction.
How does Ecosafe help improve energy efficiency in housing?
We offer roofing improvements, insulation upgrades, boiler replacements, and work alongside partners like Ridgewater Energy on Warm Homes initiatives to support energy-saving goals.
How can I book a void property assessment with Ecosafe?
Get in touch with our Business Development Manager at liam@ecosafegroup.co.uk or call 01202 017917 to schedule a survey or tender consultation.
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