Housing 2026 is done. Three days, thousands of delegates, record-breaking heat, and more conversations than we can count. Here’s our honest take on what stood out in social housing void management.
The clearest theme across the event was urgency. Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing, urged landlords to stop being seen as “moaning, bleating and negative” and focus on action. It’s a fair challenge, and one that resonates with us. The longer a void property sits empty, the greater the cost. Speed matters, and the appetite to move faster is there.
The Warm Homes Social Housing Fund featured heavily, with DESNZ’s Caroline Withey telling delegates that “getting it right first time is the key.” Energy efficiency has shifted from a sustainability talking point to an operational and financial priority. Void periods are part of that picture. Every day a property sits empty with unresolved meter debt or inaccurate billing adds cost and complexity to the handover.
Day three brought balanced conversation about AI adoption. Jas Sidhu from St Basils shared that they’d paused their rollout of Copilot pending a full governance review. That felt right for the room. The organisations that will get the most from AI are the ones building solid operational foundations first.
Phase 2 of Awaab’s Law is creating real pressure. Kyle Foulds from Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing noted that the sector is “a lot less educated” about the hazards coming into scope beyond damp and mould, and that landlords may need to move residents more often than they’re currently planning for. More moves mean more void periods, more utility handovers, and more risk of delays without the right systems in place.
The team had a brilliant three days. With temperatures hitting 32 degrees, our juice bar turned out to be a very good idea. People came for the freshly blended drinks and stayed for the conversation, along with our Helpthemove x Tony’s Chocolonely bars, LED torches, and the chance to win a £200 Fortnum and Mason hamper.
But the conversations were what really mattered. Housing associations, councils, and sector partners told us about the realities they’re dealing with every day: chasing suppliers, meter debt delaying gas safety checks, billing admin slowing down month-end. Social housing void management is too often treated as an afterthought. The providers we spoke to this week want that to change.
Housing 2026 felt like a sector that has moved past debating the problems and is focused on solving them. If we didn’t get the chance to speak at the event, we’d love to continue the conversation.
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Helpthemove is the UK’s void energy management platform for housing associations and councils. Trusted by 3,000+ clients including Peabody, West Dunbartonshire Council, and Places for People.
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