Welsh Language Standards (Registered Social Landlords) Regulations

This consultation seeks views on draft Regulations (‘Regulations’) to specify Welsh language standards (‘standards’) for Registered Social Landlords (‘RSLs’) who provide services and activities to people in Wales. This consultation also seeks views on a proposal to add Community Housing Cymru (‘CHC’), the representative body for RSLs, to the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations. This will enable the Welsh Language Commissioner (‘the Commissioner’) to place duties in relation to the Welsh language on these bodies with the aim of ensuring that there are more opportunities for people to use the Welsh language with them. 

We are holding this consultation to ensure that everyone with an interest has an opportunity to have their say on the draft standards.

Responses to this consultation should be completed via the online form or completed via the response form and emailed or posted to Cymraeg 2050 Division by 16 September 2025 at the latest.

Large print, Braille and alternative language versions of this document are available on request.

Related documents

• Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
• Welsh Language Commissioner’s Standards Report – Section 64 Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011: Public Bodies: Local Government (Providers of Social Housing)
• Welsh Language Commissioner’s Standards Report – Section 64 Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 Schedule 5(8): Persons who consent to being specified in Schedule 6. (Community Housing Cymru Group)
• Draft Welsh Language Standards (Registered Social Landlords) Regulations
• Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations

For further information:

Cymraeg 2050 Division
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Email: Cymraeg2050@gov.wales

The Welsh Government is committed to increasing the use of the Welsh language. Welsh language standards (‘standards’) serve as an important contribution to our Cymraeg 2050 strategy by increasing the provision of Welsh language services and enabling people more opportunities to use the Welsh language in their daily lives. Standards also introduce duties on bodies to provide more Welsh language services to their employees, and help bodies increase the use of Welsh in their administration.

We are committed to developing standards for more sectors and bodies, and continue to work through the standards work programme as set out in Welsh Government’s Programme for Government. During this Senedd term, Welsh Language Standards Regulations (‘Standards Regulations’) have been made for healthcare regulators and for water and sewerage undertakers who provide services to members of the public in Wales. More recently, we have added additional public bodies to existing Standards Regulations, and we will continue to seek opportunities to add new public bodies to existing Standards Regulations through legislation.

Over 130 bodies are currently required to comply with standards with more bodies due to start implementing standards over the coming months. The next step is to bring Registered Social Landlords (‘RSLs’), more commonly known as Housing Associations, and Community Housing Cymru (‘CHC’) under standards. 

Standards are part of the journey of ensuring that those with Welsh language skills have more opportunities to receive Welsh language services from these bodies. I intend these standards to build on arrangements already in place by a number of these bodies through Welsh language schemes. We have tried to prepare standards to cover the different ways people interact with these bodies whilst also providing flexibility to enable the Welsh Language Commissioner to impose standards in a pragmatic way that will continually improve Welsh language services. 

Increasing the use of Welsh is a clear priority for me. I want these standards to give people the confidence to use their Welsh language skills when dealing with these bodies. I expect the standards to help facilitate and increase the use of Welsh by ensuring that these bodies take a more proactive approach to offering Welsh language services. 

I look forward to receiving your views on the proposals set out in this document and will consider them before laying the final Regulations before the Senedd.

Mark Drakeford MS: Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.

1.1 Since 2015, the Welsh Ministers have been preparing a series of Welsh Language Standards Regulations (‘Standards Regulations’) under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (‘the Measure’). The Welsh Language Standards (‘standards’) give Welsh speakers enforceable rights to use the Welsh language when dealing with bodies. Eight sets of Regulations have been made to date, all of which are applicable to specific bodies or sectors. At least 17 bodies have been retrospectively added to those Regulations, either through their establishing legislation, or through Regulations made in March 2025. Over 130 bodies are already implementing standards. 

1.2 The Measure provides that, in order to be liable to comply with standards, a body or category of persons must fall within those listed in Schedules 5 and 6 or Schedules 7 and 8 to the Measure, and the category of standard potentially applicable to them is shown against their entry in Schedule 6 or 8. Standards are specifically applied to a body or category of persons by Regulations.

1.3 The draft Regulations being consulted upon have been specifically prepared for Registered Social Landlords (‘RSLs’) as bodies who fall under the category of ‘providers of social housing’ listed in Schedules 5 and 6 to the Measure. 

1.4 We also propose to add Community Housing Cymru (‘CHC’), the representative body for RSLs to Schedule 6 to the Measure and then to Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations 2016.

1.5 Once approved by the Senedd the Welsh Language Commissioner (‘the Commissioner’) will be able to require RSLs and CHC to comply with standards by issuing them with a compliance notice. A compliance notice is a document which sets out which standards from the relevant Regulations a body is required to comply with.

1.6 Standards are intended to provide clarity to these bodies and those who deal with these bodies around what is required to be provided in Welsh. Standards are also drafted with the aim of creating duties from which the Commissioner can choose what is reasonable and proportionate for each individual body to comply with. There is no requirement on the Commissioner to impose every single standard on a body. The Commissioner must consult with the bodies before issuing them with a compliance notice and can only impose standards that are reasonable and proportionate for each individual body. See section 5 for more details on compliance notices.

1.7 Through this consultation, we want to hear from anyone with an interest in the proposals, and/or in the use of the Welsh language by RSLs, and by CHC, including social housing contract holders and employees of these organisations. This consultation will be open for a period of 12 weeks and will close on 16 September 2025. This ensures that members of the public, the bodies subject to the proposals, and other interested stakeholders have an opportunity to have their say.

1.8 Consultation questions have been provided, and respondents are welcome to answer all or any of these questions and make comments on any aspect of the proposals.

2.1 The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government has committed to develop standards for more sectors and bodies. Three sets of Regulations have been made so far during this Senedd term. Those Regulations mean that Healthcare Regulators, Water Companies, and some additional Public Bodies are or can now be subject to standards. There are also examples where newly created bodies have been added to existing Regulations via the legislation that created those bodies: Corporate Joint Committees, Citizen Voice Body (Llais), and the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (Medr). The next step is to focus on the commitment to prepare Regulations for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). 

2.2 Many of the bodies subject to the proposals already deliver Welsh language services in accordance with their Welsh Language Schemes. Moving these bodies across to the standards system will enable them to build on commitments within those schemes. It will mean that they are under a duty to take a more proactive, strategic approach to mainstreaming the Welsh language. During the process of drafting these standards we have been mindful that RSLs vary greatly in terms of their size, the range of services they provide, and their geographical coverage. Some RSLs operate in just one local authority area, whilst others work in multiple areas across Wales, with one also providing homes in England. We are also aware that the nature of group structures in the sector can be complex and that it is commonplace for groups to have multiple subsidiaries, perhaps of several tiers. We recognise the challenges that this may bring for some bodies. However, we are confident that the proposals will provide a solid foundation, which will enable the Commissioner to impose standards that are reasonable in a pragmatic way that will continually improve Welsh language services for Welsh speakers.

The process: how do standards work?

2.3 Each set of Regulations has been prepared to reflect the way the sector they relate to delivers services and undertakes activities. 

2.4 Before a body must comply with a standard, the following conditions must be met: 

• The body must fall within a category, and/or be listed, in Schedules 5 and 6 (or Schedule 7 and 8) to the Measure, and be potentially liable to comply with a standard (meaning it is shown against their name or category in Schedule 6 or 8).
• The standard must have been made specifically applicable to the body. This means that the Welsh Ministers have, in Regulations, authorised the Commissioner to give a compliance notice to the body requiring it to comply with the standard.
• The Commissioner has given a compliance notice to the body which requires it to comply with the standard, and that compliance notice is in force.

2.5 ‘Providers of Social Housing (“Darparwyr Tai Cymdeithasol”)’ are already listed in Schedules 5 and 6 to the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (‘Measure’) as a category of persons that can be required to comply with standards. RSLs are considered to be bodies that fall within the category of ‘providers of social housing’. 

2.6 The Measure sets out the categories of standards that can be imposed on bodies via Regulations. Standards relating to the following five categories can be imposed on providers of social housing:

• Service delivery standards: relate to the delivery of services in order to promote or facilitate the use of the Welsh language, or to ensure that it is treated no less favourably than English.
• Policy making standards: require bodies to consider what effect their policy decisions will have on the ability of persons to use the language and on the principle of treating Welsh no less favourably than English.
• Operational standards: deal with the internal use of Welsh by bodies. If operational standards are imposed on a body, that body will be expected to increase the opportunities to use Welsh in their internal arrangements.
• Record keeping standards: make it necessary to keep records about some of the other standards, and about any complaints received by a body regarding compliance with standards. These records will assist the Commissioner in regulating the body’s compliance with standards.
• Supplementary standards: deal with various matters including the production of an annual report, monitoring arrangements and the provision of information to the Commissioner.

2.7 CHC is not currently listed in Schedule 6 to the Measure. A body can be added to Schedule 6 if it falls within a category listed in Schedule 5 to the Measure. Schedule 5 to the Measure also enables persons who consent to be added to Schedule 6 to the Measure. Our proposal is to add CHC to Schedule 6 to the Measure so that it can be added to Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations includes making the above five categories of standards applicable to the body. The Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations already sets out standards in relation to the above five categories of standards. 

3.1 Below are some general principles of the draft Regulations:

Regulations to apply to Registered Social Landlords

3.2 The main providers of social housing are local authorities and RSLs. The draft Regulations specify standards for RSLs specifically. Local authorities are already required to comply with standards from the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations. We consider that any activities and services that local authorities provide in their capacity as a provider of social housing already fall under existing standards imposed on them. There are some other providers of social housing (for example those registered in England but provide a small number of housing units in Wales), standards will not apply to those bodies. The draft Regulations do not make standards applicable to any other providers of social housing. 

3.3 The draft Regulations name ‘Registered Social Landlords’ as a group of persons that may be subject to them (instead of naming RSLs individually). This approach will enable the Commissioner to respond to any future changes and impose standards on a body that falls within that group now and in the future without the need for the Welsh Ministers to add individual bodies to Regulations.

Standards to apply in Wales

3.4 Several of the draft standards within Regulations apply to the extent that an activity or service is provided in Wales. The vast majority of RSLs provide services to people in Wales only, so specifying a geographical limitation in the Regulations is likely to make little practical difference. However, it means that an RSL that also provides activities and services to those outside Wales will not be required to comply with the standards when dealing with those who live outside Wales. For example, there will be no requirement on an RSL to provide a letter or form in Welsh to a tenant that is based in England.

‘Member of the public’ 

3.5 The draft Regulations will enable a ‘member of the public’ to deal with RSLs in Welsh. Welsh Language Schemes prepared by bodies generally set out how RSLs will provide services to the ‘public’. We consider that this approach will ensure that at least the same level of provision continues under standards and provide opportunities for RSLs to further develop their Welsh language services.

Third party arrangements 

3.6 Standards will apply when RSLs provide services directly or through third-party arrangements, such as subcontracting another body to provide a service on their behalf, for example home maintenance or repair services. However, standards imposed on RSLs will not apply when RSLs provide services on behalf of another body, such as a Local Authority. In such cases, RSLs must adhere to the standards imposed on the other body, if relevant.

Service Delivery Standards

3.7 The draft Regulations set out the standards in relation to the five categories of standards listed in paragraph 2.6 above. This consultation document does not discuss each individual standard or category of activity, but paragraphs 3.8 to 3.16 highlight some matters which may be of particular interest to respondents, and matters which we are particularly keen to receive views on in the responses to this consultation.

3.8 The draft Regulations for RSLs includes service delivery standards which relate to:

• correspondence
• telephone calls
• documents and forms
• meetings
• public events
• publicity and advertising
• displaying material in public
• websites and on-line services
• self-service machines
• using social media
• signs and notices
• receiving visitors
• awarding grants
• raising awareness about Welsh language services
• corporate identity
• courses
• public address systems

Standards relating to ‘online chat facilities’ (standard 46)

3.9 We try to ensure that Regulations are kept up to date and reflect how bodies interact with their users. Taking this into account, in more recent Regulations we have included standards for online chat facilities. These Regulations also include specific standards for online chat facilities. We are aware that several RSLs provide an online chat function. We want to ensure that members of the public are able to use Welsh whichever way they decide to contact the RSLs.

Standards relating to ‘websites and online services’ (standards 40 - 45)

3.10 These standards set out requirements for websites and apps. For the purposes of standard 45 an ‘app’ is a software application designed to undertake a specific task on an electronic device. We consider that this definition of an app would include online services provided to members of the public (for example via a contract holder portal). 

3.11 RSLs must provide good quality social housing and the standards will enable members of the public to contact and engage with their RSL in Welsh where they prefer. For example, a contract-holder will be able to contact their RSL in Welsh when things go wrong, when they experience difficulties or a fault or hazard presents in their home.

3.12 We are interested in hearing if the above activities are sufficient to cover all services provided by RSLs and whether the standards reflect the expectations of those who deal with RSLs, or if there are any other activities which may not be covered by the standards in the draft Regulations.

Subsidiaries

3.13 The draft Regulations do not exempt standards from applying to subsidiaries. We consider that this approach will provide the Commissioner with flexibility to impose standards in a way that is tailored to individual bodies.

Commercial activities 

3.14 RSLs are considered not-for-profit bodies. However, they can choose to provide some services and activities on a commercial basis to generate income which is then reinvested to improve existing properties or to provide more social housing. We have considered whether there should be an exemption for their commercial activities. However, it has proved difficult at times to separate the commercial element of a service from a service that is provided ordinarily to contract-holders. For example, repair and maintenance services are typically provided to contract-holders and is covered by their rent and service charges. However, some RSLs also choose to offer repair and maintenance services to non contract-holders on a commercial basis for a fee.

3.15 The draft Regulations do not exempt standards from applying to commercial activities. The extent to which standards should apply to commercial activities will be a matter for the Commissioner to decide. We consider that this will provide the Commissioner with flexibility to impose standards in a way that is tailored and reasonable for individual bodies.

Exemptions

3.16 The draft Regulations set out some circumstances when the standards imposed on RSLs would not apply. These include:

• maintenance and repair visits. Only the visit is exempt from standards. This means that standards will continue to apply to associated activities (for example correspondence or telephone calls arranging a visit)
• in an immediate emergency where there is potential risk to life. We would be interested to hear if the Regulations as drafted effectively capture the scope of emergencies

4.1 CHC is a member body, similar to the Welsh Local Government Association, which is already under a duty to comply with the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations. It provides services mainly intended for its members (such as RSLs) as opposed to contract-holders, residents and the wider public. Our proposal therefore is to add CHC to Schedule 6 to the Measure, via an Order, and then to Schedule 6 to the Welsh language Standards (No.2) Regulations.

4.2 We propose to make all the standards within the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations specifically applicable to CHC. It will then be a matter for the Commissioner to decide which standards are reasonable and proportionate to include within a compliance notice. 

5.1 The draft Regulations set out the range of standards which could be imposed on a body. The Commissioner does not have to require a body to comply with every standard.

5.2 The Commissioner has flexibility in choosing which standards, and the extent to which, a body has to comply. The Commissioner can also set the date by which the body is required to comply with a standard. The Commissioner sets out that information in a compliance notice which is given to the body.

5.3 The Commissioner will therefore have several options when it comes to imposing standards on a body. A body may have to comply with a standard only in some circumstances and not in others (depending on what is appropriate for them). This approach allows the Commissioner to facilitate a gradual improvement of Welsh language provision by bodies. However, the Commissioner is unable to change the wording of a standard. 

5.4 A body will be able to challenge the requirement upon it to comply with a particular standard on the grounds of whether it is reasonable and proportionate to do so.

5.5 In the first place, a body will be able to present a challenge to the Commissioner, asking the Commissioner to determine whether the requirement upon it to comply with a particular standard in the compliance notice is reasonable and proportionate. If they are unable to resolve the dispute, there is a route of appeal available to the Welsh Language Tribunal, and thereafter to the High Court (on a question of law).

6.1 The purpose of the RIA is to help the Welsh Ministers consider the impact of the proposals and to consider the costs and benefits of all options available to them before implementing a policy. It is also a means of presenting for scrutiny evidence on the positive and negative effects of policies.

6.2 We are asking RSLs and Community Housing Cymru, as bodies who are intended to be subject to these proposals, to complete the questions in the RIA form published on the website so that we can prepare an RIA that is as accurate as possible, and understand the impacts of these proposals. Please note that the RIA form does not apply to anyone other than the bodies subject to the proposals.

How to respond

6.3 The form can be completed online or returned via email or post by 16 September 2025. Should you have any problems, please contact Cymraeg2050@gov.wales.

1. Do you have any comments on the service delivery standards proposed in the draft regulations for registered social landlords (RSLs)? (You are welcome to make reference to matters raised in the consultation document, or to any other matter.)
2. Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations includes interpretations for some of the service delivery standards. Do you have any comments on the interpretation of standards as set out in Part 3?
3. Do you have any comments on the policy making standards proposed in the draft regulations for RSLs?
4. Do you have any comments on the operational standards proposed in the draft regulations for RSLs?
5. Do you have any comments on the record keeping standards and standards dealing with supplementary matters proposed in the draft regulations for RSLs?
6. Do you have any comments on how the standards proposed in the regulations for RSLs might apply to RSL subsidiaries or commercial activities?
7. Do you agree with the proposal to add Community Housing Cymru (CHC) to the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations? (If your answer is no, please feel free to list another set of existing Welsh language standards regulations you feel might be more appropriate for the body.)
8. Do you agree with the proposal to make all standards within the Welsh Language Standards (No.2) Regulations specifically applicable to CHC? (If not, please explain why).
9. What, in your opinion, would be the likely effects of the proposals on the Welsh language? We are particularly interested in any likely effects on opportunities to use the Welsh language and on not treating the Welsh language less favourably than English.

• Do you think that there are opportunities to promote any positive effects?
• Do you think that there are opportunities to mitigate any adverse effects?

10. In your opinion, could the proposals be formulated or changed so as to:

• have positive effects or more positive effects on using the Welsh language and on not treating the Welsh language less favourably than English; or
• mitigate any negative effects on using the Welsh language and on not treating the Welsh language less favourably than English?

Please use the consultation response form to respond to the questions.

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Welsh Ministers have statutory powers they will rely on to process this personal data which will enable them to make informed decisions about how they exercise their public functions. The lawful basis for processing information in this data collection exercise is our public task; that is, exercising our official authority to undertake the core role and functions of the Welsh Government (Art 6(1)(e)). 

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Data Protection Officer

Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Email: dataprotectionofficer@gov.wales

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Water Lane
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Cheshire
SK9 5AF

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