The introduction of Awwab’s Law on 27 October 2025 marks a pivotal moment in UK housing regulation. The Law is introduced as part of the Social Housing Act 2023. following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak caused by exposure to black mould in his housing association flat.
Social landlords are now legally bound to address reported hazards such as damp and mould within strict enforceable timeframes. Compliance is no longer just about meeting standards — it’s about protecting lives.
Since 4 September 2025, the UK suspended new applications under the refugee family-reunion route for those with protection status. For now, only applications submitted before the deadline will be processed.
Refugees wishing to bring family members must instead use the general family migration rules, which involve stricter criteria such as a minimum income and English-language requirements.
Preparations are underway for a new route of family reunion expected by spring 2026.
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The Council has formally submitted a proposal to the Secretary of State to impose renewed restrictions on “To Let” boards in nine city areas with high concentrations of student accommodation and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
The measures follow a consultation earlier in 2025 where 94% of respondents supported the reintroduction of controls. If approved, the new Regulation 7 Direction would require consent for display of letting boards and could lead to enforcement action against unsanctioned displays.
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To help residents with rising living costs, the council has launched a new phase of the Household Support Fund 7 (HSF7), which runs until 31 March 2026.
Applications are open from 3rd November 2025 and then again from 1st December 2025 for the following:
- 6,000 supermarket vouchers (£75 each)
- 3,000 energy vouchers (£98 each).
Use this link to apply.
Selection process:
Successful applicants will be selected randomly and notified by 14 November.
Who can apply?
Those who haven’t already received a supermarket or fuel voucher under HSF7 since May 2025.
No further free-school-meal vouchers will be issued for the 2025-26 academic year under this fund.
The Social Housing Innovation Fund (SHIF) has officially launched, marking a major push by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to improve tenant and resident engagement. The fund offers up to £1 million for innovative projects that enable social housing tenants to better influence their landlord’s strategies, services and decisions.
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Applications open: 27 October 2025 to 9 January 2026 at 12 pm (midday).
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Grants award: in February 2026 for projects running up to April 2027.
Registered providers of social housing, tenant‐representative groups, management organisations and partnerships thereof can apply. Requirements include that proposals are co-produced with tenants, innovative (not merely “business as usual”), and scalable across the sector. Funding per project ranges typically between £60,000 and £100,000, with up to £100,000 available.
The Council offers several schemes to help residents reduce energy bills and make their homes warmer.
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Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) allows eligible households to receive insulation, boiler replacement or other heating upgrades. You can apply by contacting your energy supplier directly or via council's ECO LA Flex scheme, by sending email to [email protected] . Find out eligibility criteria here.
- For homes with an EPC rating of D–G and council tax bands A–D, the Great British Insulation Scheme may cover access to free or discounted insulation—even for tenants (subject to landlord permission). To access the scheme apply here.
Landlords are also reminded of minimum energy-efficiency standards for private rented properties, and financial help is available to meet these requirements.
For extra guidance and support contact the Nottingham Energy Partnership at nottenergy.com or by phone 0115 947 9057.
 The Council has secured £7,463,500 from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to battle fuel poverty across the city.
The funds are part of the “Warm Homes Local Grant”, and will target low-income households by improving insulation, updating heating systems and boosting home energy efficiency.
Up to 10% of the grant, around £743,650, is planned for administration and staffing, with the rest going directly towards retrofit and energy-saving measures.
This initiative builds on previous efforts, such as the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2), which began in 2023 and invested more than £1.65 million in improving energy efficiency.
The council has secured £18.202 million from the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – Wave 3 (SHDF Wave 3) to upgrade nearly 2,500 council-homes across the city.
The funding will be used through to March 2028 to deliver:
- improved building fabric (insulation, draught-proofing)
- decarbonised heating systems
- installation of renewable energy systems.
This initiative aligns with Nottingham’s aspiration to become a UK front-runner in carbon-neutral living while addressing fuel poverty by making homes warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient.
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Over £36 million of investment — partly funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and matched by Nottingham City Council — will be used to improve energy efficiency across more than 2,400 council-owned homes in Nottingham.
The large-scale retrofit programme will focus on upgrading building insulation, installing renewable energy technologies, and replacing outdated heating systems to make homes warmer and more affordable to run. The work will begin in 2025 and is expected to complete by September 2028, supporting the national goal for all homes to reach an EPC rating of C or higher by 2030.
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A new development of 69 affordable homes in Lenton, developed by Keepmoat Homes, poses a “low risk” of being taken over by students. The homes form part of a wider regeneration scheme and will offer two- and three-bedroom properties for local families and residents in need of affordable housing.
Safeguards have been built into the project to prioritise local people, helping prevent the properties from entering the student rental market.
The scheme reflects Nottingham’s continued efforts to balance housing demand and strengthen communities by ensuring affordable homes remain accessible to those who need them most.
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The transformation of Nottingham’s Broad Marsh area has won the “Future Ambition” category at the East This Home England's project now looks to deliver around 1,000 homes, up to 20,000 m² of retail, office and community space, and create approximately 2,000 full-time jobs.
This recognition underlines Broad Marsh’s role as a flagship regeneration scheme not only for Nottingham but for the region — signalling a new era for the city centre.
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The Grade II-listed British Waterways Building has been fully transformed into 95 fully-furnished rental homes.
Developed by H2O Urban (a partnership between developer Bloc and the Canal & River Trust) and owned by Lloyds Living, the building now offers 12 studio units, 42 one-bed apartments, and 41 two-bed apartments — with a rooftop extension adding 8 further homes.
The redesign preserves key historic features — including exposed brickwork and large industrial-style windows overlooking the canal — while introducing modern communal spaces such as a lounge and co-working area.
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On World Homeless Day (10 October), homelessness charity Framework launched its Homeless to Home appeal to raise over £180,000 to complete 20 high-quality supported homes in Basford. The development, Lee House, is primarily funded through the government’s SHAP programme. It will offer self-contained flats and 24/7 support for some of Nottingham’s most vulnerable men, helping them move away from rough sleeping and rebuild their lives.
The appeal follows the success of Framework’s Building Better Futures campaign, which has raised nearly £3 million since 2021 and delivered 197 new homes across the East Midlands.
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The homelessness charity Framework has appointed Claire McGonigle as its new Chief Executive. She succeeds Andrew Redfern, who will retire in 2025 after nearly three decades in regional homelessness services.
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A vacant school site in Nottingham is set for transformation into a mixed-use space. The former school buildings in Nottingham, will be transformed into a new community hub and houses, giving the area a fresh lease of life.
With planning still at an early stage, discussions are underway with community groups to shape the vision for the hub. The scheme highlights a commitment to reinvigorating local assets and creating spaces that benefit everyone.
A former office building off Electric Avenue is set to be re-imagined as modern apartment living. The building, now known as Riverleen House, will be converted by ALB Group into 118 apartments in a £25 million project to ease housing demand in the city.
The new homes—studios and one-bed apartments—are located with excellent access to transport links, green routes such as the 10-mile “Big Track” cycle/walkway, and key employment hubs including Queen’s Medical Centre and the University of Nottingham’s King’s Meadow Campus.
With planning approval secured, work is expected to begin soon and the first residents are anticipated to move in by the end of 2026.
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Nottingham’s housing market showed minimal movement in the year to August, with the UK House Price Index reporting an average property price of £193,422, compared to £193,722 a year earlier. This equates to a 0.2% annual decline, highlighting a largely static market.
While detached houses showed the slowest growth locally, they recorded the strongest annual growth nationally, regionally and across Nottinghamshire. This suggests a more favourable and less pressured market in Nottingham than in many parts of England.
The modest increases in terraced and semi-detached homes indicate steady but not overheated conditions, which can help buyers avoid the rapid price rises seen elsewhere.
 The negligible growth of 0.3% in Nottingham was one of the lowest increases among major UK cities, above only Bristol and Leeds, and significantly lower than the 2.8% growth recorded in the UK (excluding London). This could signal local oversupply or muted demand compared to national averages.
The average property rental price in Nottingham was £965 in September. This is £10 more than the previous quarter, suggesting that affordability remains a key issue across the board, as even low inflation adds cost burdens.
The Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) development at Farnborough Road, Clifton has been crowned Regeneration and Restoration Project of the Year at the Insider Media East Midlands Property Awards 2025.
What was once a disused college site has now been reborn into a thriving mixed-use community: affordable and supported housing, independent living for older residents, and NCHA’s first purpose-built workplace.
Built in partnership with Pelham (architects) and Geda Construction (builders), the scheme prioritises sustainability with BREEAM Excellent design, solar panels, living roofs and green belt-sensitive landscaping.
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Beat The Streets, the Nottingham multi-venue music festival created by DHP Family to support people experiencing homelessness, will return on Sunday 25 January 2026. Since launching in 2018, the festival has raised an impressive £554,155 for Framework, earning national recognition with a UK Festival Award in 2022.
Tickets went on sale on 27 October for a recommended £20 donation, with options to contribute more. New for 2026 are special high-ticket items, including backstage tours and a “golden ticket” granting access to every Rock City show next year.
Funds raised will support Framework’s Homeless to Home campaign, helping complete 20 self-contained homes for vulnerable men at the new Lee House development in Basford.
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Volunteers from Nottingham Rotary Club have created a peaceful new garden for women staying at The Level, Framework’s specialist residential detox service.
The project included laying new turf, installing raised planters, adding a solar water fountain and bird bath, and mounting a hand-painted mural. The transformed garden is already being enjoyed by residents and is expected to play a meaningful role in supporting their wellbeing throughout detox.
The initiative grew from Framework’s Community Network Events, which bring together supporters and local groups to learn about the charity’s services and explore ways to get involved.
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The Autumn edition of Nottingham Council Housing News.
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