It’s the 27th of January; a much‑anticipated date in the heat network industry. Ofgem is now officially the regulator.
But what does that actually mean for you, as a housing provider or property manager?
Regulations are still being drafted, so on the surface, it might look like not much has changed yet. But in reality, this is the point where you can already start to prepare.
What you can start doing now
Even while the final rules are being written, you can already begin to:
- Educate yourself on what regulation will mean for your development
(whether that’s Heat Networ Zoning, the Heat Technical Assurance Scheme, or consumer protection rules) - Plan ahead for what you’ll need to evidence
- Install meters, improve data collection
- Get a heat supply agreement in place with your residents
- Register with the Energy Ombudsman, and
- Tidy up your complaints processes and ensure outcomes are tracked.
Small steps now will make the transition far smoother once the regulations go live.
Where to start learning about heat network regulations
There’s a lot of information out there, and a lot of consultation documents to review. It can feel overwhelming, so start small. This presentation by Jo Longdon, Strategic Director and Co-founder at Ener-Vate and Emily McAlindon, ourCommercial Director, is a great place to begin.
What support is available to heat network suppliers and operators?
Remember, you are not alone. There are many organisations out there who are happy to help, us included.
If you’ve got any questions about the regulations or what they mean for your development, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We’ve also added a number of useful resources to our ‘Regulations’ page.
About the ‘Heat network regulations are imminent. Are you ready?’ webinar
This webinar was created in collaboration with Ener‑Vate, a UK commercial consultancy specialising in low‑carbon district heating, supporting local authorities, housing associations and developers to plan, build and operate sustainable heat networks.
It was hosted on the 13th January 2026 by:
- The Association for Rental Living (ARL): The membership body for the UK rental living sector, representing purpose‑built, professionally managed rental homes (BTR, SFR, co‑living and later living) and driving standards, best practice and sector growth.
- The Housing Forum: the UK’s cross‑sector membership network for the entire housing supply chain, championing partnership working to deliver “A Quality Home for All.”
We’re also proud members of both the ARL and The Housing Forum.
