Gas and Heating Policy

4.1  Regulatory Standards 

We must ensure we comply with the Regulator of Social Housing's regulatory framework and consumer standards (opens new window) for social housing in England. The new consumer standards were introduced on 1 April 2024 and detail the four consumer standards which landlords are required to comply with, including:

• The Safety and Quality Standard (opens new window) - which requires landlords to provide safe and good quality homes and landlord services to tenants. This includes stock quality; decency; health and safety; repairs, maintenance, and planned improvements; and adaptations.
• The Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard (opens new window) - which requires landlords to be open with tenants and treat them with fairness and respect so that tenants can access services, raise complaints when necessary, influence decision making and hold their landlord to account. This standard incorporates Tenant Satisfaction Measure (TSM) requirements.
• The Neighbourhood and Community Standard (opens new window) - which requires landlords to engage with other relevant parties so that tenants can live in safe and well-maintained neighbourhoods and feel safe in their homes.
• The Tenancy Standard (opens new window) - which sets requirements for the fair allocation and letting of homes and for how those tenancies are managed and ended by landlords.

The Social Housing Regulations Act 2023 (opens new window) will change the way social housing is regulated and may result in future changes to this policy.

4.2    Legislation

The principal legislation applicable to this policy is:

• The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (opens new window) as amended (hereafter referred to as the Gas Safety Regulations). We have a legal obligation under Part F, Regulation 36 of the legislation (Duties of Landlords) and we are the 'Landlord' for the purposes of the legislation
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (opens new window)
• This policy also operates within the context of additional legislation

4.3    Approved Code of Practice (ACoP)

The principal ACoP applicable to this policy is:

• ACoP L56 - 'Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances' (opens new window) (5th edition 2018).

4.4    Guidance

The principal guidance applicable to this policy is as follows:

• INDG285 - 'A guide to landlords' duties: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as amended Approved Code of Practice and guidance (opens new window) (3rd Edition 2018).

4.5    Sanctions

We acknowledge and accept our responsibilities in accordance with the regulatory standards, legislation and codes of practice and that a failure to discharge our responsibilities and obligations properly could lead to sanctions, including prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (the HSE) (opens new window) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (opens new window); prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (opens new window); prosecution under the Gas Safety Regulations (opens new window); and via a regulatory notice from the Regulator of Social Housing (opens new window).