Tai Pawb warmly welcomes the release of the revised regulatory framework for Welsh Registered Social Landlords, which came into effect on 11 August 2025. We were pleased to contribute to its development and are proud to see the strengthened emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and tenant voice.
Importantly, the regulator has reaffirmed the role of QED and QED Leaders as key tools for board level assurance:
“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.”
This endorsement reinforces QED’s value not only as a business improvement tool, but also as a recognised mechanism for regulatory assurance.
How the New Framework Strengthens EDI and Tenant Voice
The 2025 framework introduces significant enhancements that embed EDI and tenant engagement more deeply into governance and service delivery.
Here is how the new Regulatory Framework for Welsh Registered Social Landlords enhances equality, diversity and inclusion and tenant voice compared to the 2022 framework.
Strengthening Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Mandatory measurable EDI commitments and board diversity
A standout enhancement in the 2025 framework is within Regulatory Standard 1 (RS1). It now explicitly requires Registered Social Landlords not only to set but to deliver measurable, evidence based commitments across all areas of EDI, including anti racism and hate crime. It also requires boards to be diverse, reflecting the communities they serve and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge (GOV.WALES).
This goes further than simply encouraging EDI. It mandates clear, demonstrable outcomes and accountability at leadership level.
Broader 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. Landlords must also make performance information available to tenants for scrutiny and challenge (GOV.WALES).
This adds depth to earlier, more general obligations by tying performance transparency directly to equitable outcomes, helping to ensure fairness in practice and not just principle.
Together, these enhancements elevate EDI from a compliance exercise to a measurable, integrated priority embedded in governance, strategy and service delivery.
Reinforcing Tenant Voice
Embedding tenant feedback into governance and decisions
The 2025 framework places strong emphasis on demonstrating how tenant involvement and feedback influence strategic decision making and service delivery (RS1-f). It also ensures tenants are empowered and supported to design and influence services (RS1 and RS4) (GOV.WALES).
This moves beyond passive consultation toward genuine empowerment and co design.
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 (GOV.WALES).
That means tenants must see not just that they were consulted, but how their input shaped outcomes, reinforcing their role as active stakeholders.
Accessible publication of self evaluations
The framework also obliges Registered Social Landlords to publish their self evaluations in formats that are readily accessible to tenants, including considerations for those without digital access (GOV.WALES).
This enhances transparency and ensures tenant voice is not limited by format or digital exclusion.
Summary
The 2025 framework sharply strengthens EDI by requiring measurable commitments in equality, anti racism and board diversity, alongside ensuring services deliver equitable outcomes supported by performance transparency.
It also deepens tenant engagement, embedding tenant feedback into governance and service design, ensuring that self evaluations reflect genuine tenant influence, and mandating accessible publication of those evaluations to uphold accountability and inclusion.
If you would like to discuss how QED can support your organisations approach, we would be happy to talk – get in touch on 02921057957 or info@taipawb.org