Social housing standards in Wales | Social Housing Contractors

Social landlords in Wales must meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023, in force from 1 April 2024, with Target Energy Pathways due by 31 March 2027 and all stock compliant by 31 March 2034. Homes must also be fit for human habitation under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 rules, which require an EICR at most 5 years old, interlinked smoke alarms and CO alarms.

Social landlords in Wales work to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023 and to the fitness for human habitation rules made under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. WHQS 2023 has applied from 1 April 2024, with Target Energy Pathways due by 31 March 2027 and full compliance by 31 March 2034. We found no Welsh equivalent of Awaab's Law when we checked in October 2026.

What does WHQS 2023 require, and by when?

WHQS 2023 applies from 1 April 2024, with these deadlines:

stock assessment and compliance policy: by 31 March 2025;
Target Energy Pathways, informed by a Whole Stock Assessment: by 31 March 2027;
all stock compliant: by 31 March 2034.

What are the key elements?

Energy: a SAP 92 (EPC A) target, with an interim minimum of SAP 75 (EPC C). No date for the interim minimum was found.
Water: use under 110 litres per person per day when fittings are replaced.
Floor coverings: in habitable rooms, stairs and landings at change of tenancy.
Smart meters: at change of tenancy.
Damp: homes must be "free from damp".
Fire and CO: interlinked mains smoke alarms, a kitchen heat detector and CO detectors.
Electrics: an EICR at least every 5 years.

For works, this shapes void specifications, water-saving fittings in kitchen and bathroom programmes, and retrofit planned around each home's energy pathway. See whole-house retrofit.

What do the fitness for human habitation rules require?

The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 apply to secure contracts, which social landlords use, and to periodic or shorter fixed-term standard contracts. They have applied since 1 December 2022; existing contracts had until 1 December 2023 for smoke alarms and electrical testing. They require:

a valid EICR, at most 5 years old, given to the tenant within 14 days;
a mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarm on every storey;
a CO alarm in rooms with gas, oil or solid-fuel appliances.

The regulations also list 29 matters that affect fitness, including damp and mould. See electrical remedial works and smoke and CO alarms.

Is there a Welsh equivalent of Awaab's Law?

We found no Welsh equivalent, and no Welsh damp and mould timescales, when we checked in October 2026. Awaab's Law, in force since 27 October 2025, applies to England only.

In Wales, damp and mould sits within the 29 fitness matters and the WHQS 2023 requirement that homes are "free from damp". Set response times for Welsh homes in your own policies and contracts, and check for new Welsh Government rules. See damp and mould remediation.

Which councils own housing, and which transferred it?

Of the 22 councils, 11 keep their stock: Anglesey, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham.

The other 11 transferred their homes to housing associations:

Council	Transferred to
Blaenau Gwent	Tai Calon
Bridgend	Valleys to Coast
Ceredigion	Barcud
Conwy	Cartrefi Conwy
Gwynedd	Adra
Merthyr Tydfil	Merthyr Valleys Homes
Monmouthshire	Monmouthshire Housing Association
Neath Port Talbot	Tai Tarian
Newport	Newport City Homes, now part of Hedyn following its merger with Melin Homes
Rhondda Cynon Taf	Trivallis
Torfaen	Bron Afon

In transfer areas, the housing association, not the council, owns and maintains the former council homes. See procurement.

What adaptations funding is available in Wales?

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG): the Welsh maximum is £36,000. Since April 2021, councils must not means-test small and medium DFGs as a condition of the ENABLE grant.
Physical Adaptations Grant: a housing association applies to the Welsh Government after an occupational therapist (OT) assessment. Stock-transfer housing associations are excluded.

An OT assessment usually sets the scope, so allow time for it in adaptation programmes. See the adaptations funding guide.

How do the Welsh rules differ from England's?

If you manage homes on both sides of the border, the main differences are:

Quality standard: WHQS 2023 applies in Wales; the Decent Homes Standard applies in England.
Damp and mould timescales: Awaab's Law sets them in England; we found no Welsh equivalent when we checked in October 2026.
Electrical reports: in Wales the EICR goes to the tenant within 14 days; in England the report goes within 28 days.
Smoke alarms: Welsh rules require mains-powered, interlinked alarms on every storey; the English regulations require a smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation.
DFG maximum: £36,000 in Wales, against £30,000 in England.

See the England standards.

How does procurement work for Welsh landlords?

The Procurement Act 2023 has applied in Wales since 24 February 2025. Housing associations are usually, but not automatically, contracting authorities: the Welsh Government says the Act was "not intended to change the position of the previous legislation", and commercial subsidiaries may fall outside it.

Devolved Welsh authorities are excluded from the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 duty and from the duty to have regard to the National Procurement Policy Statement. See the Procurement Act 2023 guide.

What are the rules at a glance?

Rule	Applies to	Key requirement	Status
WHQS 2023	Social landlords	All stock compliant	In force from 1 April 2024; full compliance by 31 March 2034
Target Energy Pathways	Social landlords	Pathways informed by a Whole Stock Assessment	Due by 31 March 2027
Fitness for Human Habitation Regulations 2022	Secure and standard contracts	EICR at most 5 years old; interlinked smoke alarms; CO alarms; 29 matters	In force since 1 December 2022
Awaab's Law equivalent	Not applicable	No equivalent	None found (checked October 2026)
Disabled Facilities Grant	Councils	Maximum £36,000	Current
Physical Adaptations Grant	Housing associations, except stock-transfer	OT assessment first	Current
Procurement Act 2023	Contracting authorities	Competitive procedures; 30-day payment	In force since 24 February 2025

Check the current legislation or take advice for your own case.

How we help

We deliver void, retrofit, electrical, alarm and adaptations works to your WHQS 2023 programme and specifications, with dated records and photos for your stock data. We can work direct or as a tier-2 partner to framework contractors. We confirm in writing, before appointment, who will carry out each measure and what certification they hold. Request a quote.

Common questions

Can one damp and mould policy cover homes in England and Wales?

You can align your processes, but Awaab's Law timescales are a legal duty only for homes in England. For Welsh homes, the duties come from WHQS 2023 and the fitness for human habitation rules.

Do WHQS 2023 floor coverings affect void budgets?

Yes. WHQS 2023 expects floor coverings in habitable rooms, stairs and landings at change of tenancy, so void specifications and budgets need to allow for them.

Can a stock-transfer housing association use the Physical Adaptations Grant?

No. Stock-transfer housing associations are excluded. Other housing associations apply to the Welsh Government once an occupational therapist has assessed the resident.

Does WHQS 2023 apply to housing associations as well as councils?

Yes. It applies to social landlords in Wales, whether a council that kept its stock or a housing association, including those that took on transferred council homes.

Sources

Checked 31 October 2026. This guide summarises the rules for planning purposes and is not legal advice; check the current legislation or take advice for your own case.

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Social housing standards in Wales: WHQS 2023 and fitness rules