New Heat Network Regulations: What Landlords and Freeholders Need to Know
Heat networks are moving from a largely unregulated environment to a regulated utility framework. To help freeholders, resident management companies, landlords and other heat network owners navigate this transition and meet new obligations, we have developed a comprehensive compliance support package.
The introduction of Ofgem regulation represents the most significant change the heat network sector has seen. For the first time, heat networks are subject to a comprehensive regulatory framework, creating significant new responsibilities for owners and operators.
The new regulatory framework introduces a range of requirements that heat network owners and operators will need to meet:
• Registration of heat networks
• Compliance with authorisation conditions
• Consumer protection obligations
• Compliant handling and redress requirements
• Billing transparency
• Service reliability standards
• Operational governance and reporting
• Demonstration of fair pricing principles
• Engagement with ombudsman and consumer advocacy schemes
Consumer protection regulations came into force in January 2026, with Ofgem appointed as the sector regulator. All heat networks must register with Ofgem by 26 January 2027, while further requirements, including the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), are expected from 2027.
A critical consideration for freeholders, landlords and other heat network owners is that responsibility for compliance generally remains with them, even where day-to-day operation is outsourced to a specialist provider. These obligations cannot simply be transferred to a managing agent or heat network contractor and failure to meet regulatory requirements could result in enforcement action and financial penalties.
How Rendall & Rittner Can Support Heat Network Compliance
Recognising the scale and complexity of the new regulations, we have developed a dedicated heat network compliance support package. The service combines Rendall & Rittner’s strengths in governance, client representation and resident services with specialist expertise from carefully selected partners, including Ginger Energy, Insite Energy, Switch2 and Chirpy Heat.
Our approach is governance-led. Our specialist partners deliver the operational and technical services required to run a compliant heat network, including repairs and maintenance, metering and billing, Ofgem registration and reporting, complaints handling and support for vulnerable residents. While we retain strategic oversight, ensuring compliance, accountability and effective risk management on behalf of our clients.
This includes contract management, financial scrutiny, risk management, stakeholder engagement and reporting to boards and resident committees. The result is a single point of accountability, giving clients confidence that both operational performance and compliance obligations are being actively managed, without the need to develop in-house heat network expertise.
We monitor our partners against clearly defined KPIs and compliance measures, providing clients with ongoing assurance that both operational and regulatory standards are being met.
Whether you already have compliance arrangements in place or are preparing for registration, there is no need for wholesale change.
To find out more please contact heatnetworks@rendallandrittner.co.uk.
