Research: Sector Risk Profile 2026
Summary
The Regulator of Social Housing’s Sector Risk Profile 2026 highlights a challenging operating environment for social landlords, with ongoing pressure to invest in existing homes while also delivering new supply. It points to heightened expectations around building safety, energy efficiency, consumer standards and financial resilience, alongside growing cyber, data and operational resilience risks.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors working with social housing stock should note the increased emphasis on stock condition, safety, energy performance and compliance with evolving standards. The profile also signals continued financial strain and delivery risk across the sector, which may affect asset management, investment planning and development activity.
Key points
- Social landlords must sustain high levels of investment in existing homes for safety, energy efficiency and stock condition.
- Awaab’s Law, the Decent Homes Standard and MEES are cited as key evolving requirements.
- Landlords are expected to balance existing stock investment with new housing delivery.
- Financial pressure remains significant, with weak financial metrics and refinancing risk.
- Boards and councillors are urged to strengthen data-led decision-making and manage cyber and operational resilience risks.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
