In February 2024, the Regulator published revised guidance to support landlords when they are completing the Statements, which are due to be submitted by 31 October. This guidance explains that SHR may ask landlords to provide specific assurance on a particular issue in the Annual Assurance Statement.

In the letter, chief executive Michael Cameron said: “This year, we have decided to continue with our request that landlords provide specific assurance on their compliance with relevant obligations in relation to tenant and resident safety. This will provide us with specific assurance that landlords are continuing to comply with their obligations in this important area while we engage with the sector on appropriate indicators which could be collected through the Annual Return on the Charter in the future.”

Landlords are being asked to confirm whether they meet all duties in relation to tenant and resident safety, and in particular have obtained appropriate assurance about their compliance with all relevant safety requirements including:

• Gas safety
• Electrical safety
• Water safety
• Fire safety
• Asbestos
• Damp and Mould
• Lift safety

Michael Cameron added: “We would also ask that any landlords which have identified Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in their homes and who don’t have a plan to manage the risks associated with this to highlight this in their Annual Assurance Statement.

“The SFHA Self Assurance Toolkit may provide you with further information on the requirements on landlords in relation to tenant and resident safety, as will the SFHA’s advice note for governing body members on dealing with damp and mould.

“In 2023 we carried out a programme of visits to landlords to discuss their Annual Assurance Statements. During the visits we asked how landlords had assured themselves about compliance with their duties in relation to tenant and resident safety. We published a report on the findings from the Annual Assurance Statement visits to share lessons learned.”