Tai Pawb welcomes the release of the revised regulatory framework for Welsh social landlords.
We were pleased to feed into the framework and below we outline how the framework strengthens both EDI and tenant voice. We will also take a look at how our QED Award can help organisations to comply with the framework.
Strengthening EDI
Compared to the 2022 framework, the revised regulatory framework (effective from 11 August 2025) enhances equality, diversity and inclusion through:
- A stronger focus on diverse tenant outcomes: Under RS3, the framework strengthens expectations that services must be fair and deliver equitable outcomes tailored to tenants’ individual needs, and that landlords must make performance information available to tenants for scrutiny and challenge
- This adds depth to earlier, more general obligations by tying performance transparency directly to equitable outcomes—helping to ensure fairness and equity in practice, not just principle.
Enhancing EDI through centring tenant perspectives
The new regulatory framework enhances standards related to tenant voice and influence, compared to 2022, by:
- Embedding tenant impact into governance and decisions: The 2025 framework places stronger emphasis on demonstrating how tenant involvement and feedback influence strategic decision-making and service delivery (RS1-f) by focusing on difference made rather than the process.
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- The standards now go beyond showing that mechanisms for engagement exist (e.g. consultation exercises, complaints processes) to requiring landlords to evidence the tangible difference tenant input makes—from changes in service design and delivery based on feedback and complaints, to the way diverse tenant perspectives actively shape reviews and responses to service failures. This ensures that tenant voice is not just heard, but demonstrably drives improvements and accountability.
- Ensuring tenants are empowered and supported to design and influence services (RS1 and RS4)
- This moves beyond passive consultation toward genuine empowerment and co-design.
- Including inclusive and transparent self-evaluation: Boards must now produce an annual self-evaluation that includes a statement on how tenant views were understood and considered during the process, and—critically—what difference those views made
- That means tenants must see not just that they were consulted, but how their input shaped outcomes; reinforcing their role as active stakeholders.
- Mandating accessible publication of self-evaluations: The framework also obliges RSLs to publish their self-evaluations in formats that are readily accessible to tenants, including considerations for those without digital access
- This enhances transparency and ensures tenant voice isn’t limited by format or digital exclusion.
The role that QED can play
“Since their launch, Tai Pawb’s QED and QED Leaders have provided one of the means of assurance for housing association boards in Wales in line with the regulatory framework and standards relating to EDI. This continues to be the case under the revised Regulatory Standards, which increase emphasis on the importance of engaging diverse tenants and delivering fair, equitable services. The accreditations can support strong board-level assurance and self-evaluation around EDI and assist the regulator to carry out its role. Tai Pawb is a valued member of the Regulatory Advisory Group and we acknowledge their work to help raise standards across the sector.”
– Ian Walters, Head of Regulation Strategy and Policy at the Welsh Government
Our QED Award is already renowned as a business improvement tool, but it is also a recognised mechanism for board and therefore regulatory assurance. The QED Award can be used as evidence towards many of the regulatory elements, including:
- Ensuring your board is equipped, diverse and accountable
- Proving deliverable, measurable and evidence-based EDI commitments, including tackling anti-racism and hate crime
- Demonstrating inclusivity in tenant involvement at decision-making levels
- Working towards the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, including anti-racism training (100% board members, 50% staff by end of 2025), and publishing plans for advancing EDI
- Evaluating the collection and use of quality, accurate and actionable data
- Meeting the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS 2023) with accessible tenant engagement, cultural adequacy, and meaningful data collection (e.g. wheelchair accessibility)
If your organisation is considering embarking on your QED journey, you can find more information here: Tai Pawb QED Award, or send us an enquiry via: info@taipawb.org
