Navigating the 2025 ARC Changes: What you need to know
- Jim Walker
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
We're all no stranger to the ever-evolving landscape of regulatory requirements. From April 2025, changes to the Annual Return on the Scottish Social Housing Charter (ARC) will take effect, bringing with them new reporting expectations and removing some existing requirements. Stay ahead of these changes, look at data capture now, and make your reporting life easier!
I know firsthand that keeping up with regulatory changes can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can streamline your processes and avoid last-minute headaches. Let’s break down what’s changing and how you can prepare effectively.
Key Changes in the 2025 ARC
What’s No Longer Required?
The following metrics will be removed from ARC reporting, simplifying some of your data collection efforts:
ARC 14 - Percentage of tenancy offers refused during the year
ARC 20 - Total cost of adaptations completed in the year by source of funding (£)
ARC 23 - Homelessness (RSLs only) – percentage of referrals under Section 5, and other referrals for homeless households made by the local authority, that result in an offer, and the percentage of those offers that result in a let.
ARC 24 - Homelessness (LAs only) – percentage of homeless households referred to RSLs under Section 5 and through other referral routes.
C3 - Number of lets during the reporting year, split between general needs and supported housing.
What’s Changing?
While some requirements are being phased out, others are being adjusted:
ARC 14 will now track the percentage of anti-social behaviour cases that were resolved instead of tenancy refusals.
C2 will now focus on tracking the number of lets during the reporting year by source of let.
What’s New?
With the Scottish Housing Regulator placing increased emphasis on safety and housing conditions, several new reporting requirements will come into play:
ARC 29 - How many times in the reporting year did you not meet the requirement to complete an electrical installation condition report (EICR) within five years of the last EICR?
ARC 30 - Number of homes without ‘satisfactory equipment for detecting fire and giving warning in the event of fire or suspected fire’ installed at year-end.
ARC 31 - Average length of time taken to resolve cases of damp and/or mould by cause.
ARC 32 - Percentage of damp and/or mould cases resolved during the reporting year that were reopened, categorized by cause.
ARC 33 - Number of open damp and/or mould cases at the year-end.
C9 - Number of self-contained properties void at the year-end, with further breakdown details.
What These Changes Mean for You
With a clear focus on damp & mould issues, fire safety, and electrical compliance, these updates reflect the regulator’s intent to prioritize tenant well-being. As a housing manager, this means:
Reviewing your current data collection methods to ensure you’re capturing the new requirements from 1st April 2025.
Implementing tracking systems for damp and mould cases, ensuring timely resolutions and follow-ups to prevent reoccurrence.
Ensuring fire detection systems and electrical inspections are proactively managed to prevent non-compliance.
Adjusting internal reporting structures to reflect the removal of homelessness metrics and adaptation cost breakdowns.
Make Your Life Easier – Start Preparing Now
By taking action now, you can avoid a reporting scramble next year. Here’s how:
Audit your current reporting methods – Are they ready for the new requirements?
Engage with your team – Make sure everyone understands what data needs to be tracked.
Update your systems – Consider automating tracking for compliance checks and damp & mould case resolution.
Seek expert guidance – If you need support in navigating these changes, I can help simplify the process for you.
For further details, you can review the Tracked Changes and Clean versions of the ARC updates here:
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about any aspect of these changes, give me a shout. 1s and 0s we love - reporting doesn't need to be difficult!
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