The Competence and Conduct Standard: what your housing managers need, and by when
A free, plain-English guide for social housing landlords, management organisations and housing managers.
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The key dates
- 1 October 2026The Standard came into force.
- 36 monthsThe transition period for landlords owning 1,000 or more social homes, beginning on 1 October 2026.
- 48 monthsThe adjusted transition period for landlords owning fewer than 1,000 social homes, beginning on 1 October 2026.
- 12 months in roleA person comes into scope once they have been in a senior role for more than 12 months. Anyone who comes into scope after the first 24 months of the transition period (36 months for smaller landlords) does not get the transition period: the normal rules apply.
Policy statement paragraphs 15, 35 to 42. By each deadline, everyone in scope must hold, or be working towards, a relevant qualification.
Who it applies to
The Standard is set by the Regulator of Social Housing for registered providers of social housing in England, including housing associations and local authority landlords. It does not apply in Wales. It covers their senior housing managers and senior housing executives who:
- have a substantive role in managing the delivery of housing management services to social housing tenants;
- are paid, not volunteers;
- have been in the senior role for more than 12 months;
- do not already hold, or are not already working towards, a relevant or equivalent qualification.
Landlords must also take steps to make sure the relevant managers of organisations that manage homes on their behalf, such as arm's length management organisations, meet the same requirement, where that organisation delivers all or most housing management functions for them. (Paragraphs 11, 45 and 59.)
People whose only role is one of the following are exempt: back-office work; building new homes or managing empty buildings; care and support; or the housing register and decisions on housing need or homelessness. (Paragraph 44.)
What qualification is needed
| Role | Level and type | Content must include |
|---|---|---|
| Senior housing manager | An Ofqual-regulated Level 4 qualification in housing management | Professional practice; equality, diversity and inclusion; customer service in housing; housing policy, law and regulation |
| Senior housing executive | An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 qualification, or a foundation degree | Everything above, plus leadership and management in housing, and stakeholder engagement |
| Manager of technical functions (repairs, maintenance, assets, building safety, major works, estate management) | The manager or executive qualification above, or one at the same level that is broadly relevant to the role, such as surveying, construction or facilities management | If broadly relevant: customer service in housing, and equality, diversity and inclusion |
The qualification must be more than 120 hours of total qualification time. (Paragraphs 17 to 26.)
Already qualified?
A person is out of scope if they hold, or are working towards, an equivalent or higher qualification that meets the content requirements, such as a higher national certificate or diploma, or a degree. (Paragraphs 27 to 29.)
If someone holds a qualification at the right level that only partly covers the required content (a "partially compliant qualification"), they can complete the missing content through additional training modules instead of a whole new qualification. (Paragraphs 30 to 34.)
What "working towards" means
Broadly, a person is working towards a qualification if they are enrolled on it, or on a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for it, and are making progress. Short gaps are allowed in set circumstances, such as a course that has not yet started, an extended absence from work, or a recent failed attempt with a plan to continue. (Paragraph 13.)
There is also a time limit. Someone stops counting as working towards a qualification once the completion time set or estimated by the qualification provider has passed (or two years from enrolment, if none is given), unless they needed a reasonable adjustment or had an extended absence from work. (Paragraph 13b.)
What to do now
- List every senior housing manager and executive role, and whether each manages general or technical functions.
- Check what each person already holds against the requirements above.
- Plan enrolments so that everyone in scope is enrolled, and making progress, well before your deadline.
- Build the 12-month rule into recruitment for new senior staff.
This guide summarises the government's policy statement for general information. It is not legal advice. Always check the source: Policy Statement on Qualifications Requirements for Social Housing.
What does it mean for you?
Answer five short questions in our free checker and we suggest the qualification and, if the Standard applies to you, your transition period.