Tpas: Tenants must be central to delivering decent, affordable, energy-efficient homes.
Thursday 29th of January 2026
Tpas welcomes the broad government commitments on social housing, including major steps on supply, quality, energy performance, and regulatory standards, but cautions that tenants’ voices must be embedded in every part of implementation if these reforms are to deliver real improvements in people’s lives.
The package of measures announced today promises increased funding and support to build and upgrade social housing, a refreshed Decent Homes Standard, a long-term approach to rent convergence, and strengthened energy efficiency expectations in social homes. Taken together, these commitments have the potential to improve the quality, warmth, and affordability of social homes but only if tenants are genuinely involved in shaping and holding the system to account.
Jenny Osbourne, Chief Executive of Tpas, said:
“Yesterday’s announcements recognise what tenants have repeatedly told us: quality, warmth, and dignity in the home matter every day. Upgrading homes to decent, energy-efficient standards and addressing historic underinvestment is vital.
But as the government’s proposals move from policy to practice, meaningful tenant engagement must be at the centre. Decisions about how standards are defined, how convergence is implemented and how energy improvements are prioritised will directly affect people’s bills, comfort, and security.”
Decent Homes for tenants, not just targets
The updated Decent Homes Standard and stronger energy performance requirements, including work on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), respond to long-standing tenant concerns about cold, damp and poorly insulated homes. Tpas supports these priorities and urges that tenants are engaged in setting, monitoring, and reviewing the new standards and how progress is reported.
“Decent homes should not be a box-ticking exercise. Tenants must have a say in what decent means for them in their communities, from heating systems and insulation to repairs, responsiveness and overall quality of life.”
Rent convergence: fairness and clarity for tenants.
The government’s move to reintroduce rent convergence aligning historic rents more closely with formula levels as part of a longer-term rent settlement could help unlock investment in both existing homes and new supply. However, Tpas stresses that any changes to rent policy must be transparent, fair, and clearly communicated to tenants, with safeguards in place for those on the lowest incomes.
“People living in social housing must understand how rent changes work, how they link to investment in homes, and what protections exist. Clear communication and genuine engagement will be essential.”
Energy efficiency and MEES: tackling fuel poverty with tenant input
Commitments to improve energy efficiency in social housing, including progress towards MEES compliance, are welcome steps in tackling fuel poverty and reducing energy bills. Tpas are clear that tenants lived experience of cold homes, high bills and retrofit disruption must shape how these programmes are delivered.
“Energy efficiency targets must translate into warmer homes, lower bills, and healthier lives. That means involving tenants early, planning works around people’s lives, and being honest about disruption as well as benefits.”
Social Housing Taskforce
Tpas also welcomes the creation of a new Social Housing Taskforce but calls for clear and formal tenant representation within the taskforce and any associated working groups.
“If this taskforce is to drive lasting change, tenants must be partners in decision-making, not observers. Policy works best when it is shaped with the people it affects.”
Tpas stands ready to work with government, landlords, regulators, and tenant groups to ensure that the next phase of social housing reform is co-produced with tenants and grounded in lived experience.
Jenny Osbourne
Chief Executive, Tpas