Welsh Language Standards (Registered Social Landlords) Regulations

The Welsh Language Standards were created by the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (‘the Measure’) and this gives official status to the Welsh language in Wales, creating rights for people to receive public services in Welsh.

The Measure established a statutory framework and promotes and facilitates the use of Welsh. Under this framework, Welsh Ministers have introduced a series of Welsh Language Standards Regulations since 2015, gradually extending obligations to various public bodies. These standards aim to ensure that Welsh speakers can access services and communicate in Welsh across a wide range of sectors.

On 24 June 2025, the Welsh Government launched a consultation on the draft Welsh Language Standards (Registered Social Landlords) Regulations (‘the Regulations’). The proposals seek to amend the Welsh Language Standards (No. 2) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/182) and bring Registered Social Landlords (‘RSLs’) and Community Housing Cymru (‘CHC’) the representative body for RSLs, under the standards regime.

This would empower the Welsh Language Commissioner to impose duties on these bodies, enhancing opportunities for the public to use Welsh in their interactions with social housing providers. The Welsh Government has a goal to increase the number of Welsh speakers in the country to one million by 2050.

The consultation closed on 16 September 2025, and the Welsh Government is currently reviewing responses. 

The Regulations and accompanying proposals aim to clarify what services must be provided in Welsh and encourage a strategic, proactive approach to mainstreaming the language within the operations of RSLs.

The proposed Regulations will place RSLs under the Welsh Language Standards framework for the first time, replacing the previous voluntary arrangements with enforceable legal duties. This will allow a “member of the public” to deal with RSLs in Welsh.

The Measure defines five categories of standards that can be imposed on bodies via regulations, and the proposal is that these would now apply to providers of social housing in Wales:

• Service delivery standards require RSLs to offer services in Welsh in a way that promotes its use and ensures it is treated equally to English.
• Policy making standards compel RSLs to assess how their decisions affect the ability of individuals to use Welsh and to uphold the principle of linguistic parity.
• Operational standards focus on the internal workings of RSLs, encouraging the use of Welsh among staff and within organisational systems.
• Record keeping standards ensure that RSLs maintain documentation on their compliance and any complaints received, supporting oversight by the Welsh Language Commissioner.
• Supplementary standards cover broader governance requirements, such as reporting, monitoring, and providing information to the Commissioner.

The Regulations also confirm that individuals will have the right to engage with RSLs in Welsh, whether services are delivered directly or through contracted providers. However, when RSLs deliver services on behalf of another organisation, such as a local authority, they must follow the standards applicable to that organisation.

The Regulations outline a broad set of standards that may be applied to RSLs, but not all will necessarily be imposed on every organisation. The Welsh Language Commissioner has discretion to decide which standards are appropriate for each RSL, how extensively they must be followed, and the timeline for compliance. These details will be set out in a formal compliance notice issued to the body. Importantly, RSLs will have the right to challenge any requirement they believe is unreasonable or disproportionate, ensuring that the process remains fair and can be tailored to individual circumstances. 

These Regulations represent a significant step forward in embedding the Welsh language within the social housing sector in Wales. By placing clear, enforceable duties on RSLs, the Welsh Government will be promoting a more inclusive and bilingual public service environment. Legal advisors and housing providers will need to prepare for this shift, ensuring compliance and embracing the broader cultural impact of these reforms.

Please find links to the draft Regulations, the closed consultation and the Cabinet written statement below:

• The Welsh Language Standards (Registered Social Landlords) Regulations (Draft form)
• Closed Consultation: Welsh Language Standards (Registered Social Landlords) Regulations
• Written Statement: Consultation on draft Welsh Language Standards Regulations for Registered Social Landlords, and adding Community Housing Cymru to the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations 2016

For further information, please contact Jonathan Bowen.