Why landlords and social housing providers need to prioritise air source heat pump servicing

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are fast becoming a familiar feature in UK rental properties and social housing. As the country moves away from gas and oil towards net zero, they’re increasingly becoming the low-carbon heating option of choice. 

From 2025, new rules and funding will change around how heating works in social housing and new builds. 

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (Wave 3) is helping landlords upgrade properties, so they reach EPC band C or higher by 2028. As well as this, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is giving support to low-income households to help them make much better energy improvements.

For new build homes, the Future Homes Standard and updated building regulations mean they’ll need to be 31% more energy-efficient than current homes. Any new or replacement heating systems will also be limited to a maximum flow temperature of 55°C, which makes them ready for heat pump technology.

On top of that, Ofgem is beginning to regulate heat networks, with landlords expected to start registering in phases up to 2027.

So, for landlords and housing providers, regular servicing can’t just be another tick box item on the to-do list – it’s going to be an essential one. It’ll keep systems efficient, tenants safe and comfortable, and portfolios compliant with changing regulations. 

And while there aren’t any new rules in 2025 that force every heating system to be serviced annually, wider changes around energy efficiency and safety mean landlords will still need strong maintenance plans in place. 

This is already especially important for gas appliances and also to make sure homes are ready to move towards low-carbon heating, like heat pumps. Neglect it, and you risk higher costs, breakdowns, unhappy tenants and legal challenges.

Compliance and responsibilities you can’t ignore

Heating is a legal requirement, not a luxury. Landlords have a duty of care to provide safe and reliable systems, and social housing providers are under even greater pressure with strict efficiency and welfare standards to meet throughout properties.

Routine servicing helps you:

• Stay compliant – with rules like EPC ratings, MEES, and social housing regulations, regular service maintenance ensures you meet your legal requirements
• Protect tenants – from issues like damp, cold homes, or poor air quality. If not resolved, this can lead to complaints or disputes.
• Keep warranties valid – since many manufacturers require proof of annual servicing as a condition of warranty, missing these kinds of checks could leave landlords liable for any repairs.

Neglect it, and you’re not only putting tenants at risk – you could face fines, invalidated warranties, court cases and a damaged reputation.

Why servicing makes financial sense

Private landlords and social housing organisations will face different challenges from each other. 

For landlords juggling multiple properties, proactive servicing is the difference between manageable costs and spiralling expenses. Air source heat pumps are built to last 15 – 20 years, but only if they’re properly maintained.

Here’s how it protects your investment:

• Lower bills for tenants – a serviced unit will always run more efficiently, using less electricity.
• Fewer emergencies – small faults like refrigerant leaks or clogged filters will be fixed before they become expensive emergency callouts.
• Longer lifespan – regular care reduces the strain on components, which will help units maximise their full life expectancy.
• Predictable budgeting – service plans will smooth out costs, avoiding nasty surprises.

Tenant comfort and peace of mind

Heating isn’t just about bills – it’s also about comfort, health, and trust. When systems fail, tenants lose confidence in their landlord or housing provider.

Servicing will help you avoid that by ensuring:

• There’s consistent heating and hot water, even in winter.
• The air quality is healthier, with clean filters and proper airflow, reducing dust and allergens.
• There are fewer complaints, thanks to proactive and regular maintenance.
• There’s reassurance that their home is safe, sound and efficient.

In short – happy tenants mean fewer disputes, less turnover, and smoother management.

Keeping up with a changing landscape

Regulation around housing and heating is evolving quickly:

• From 2025 – new builds must use low-carbon heating under the Future Homes Standard. So, all new homes will be required to be fitted with low carbon heating – making heat pumps the most likely choice.
• From May 2025 – updated planning rules make installing heat pumps easier in England.
• Building regulations – now require lower flow temperatures (55°C) for new and replacement heating systems, which is great for heat pumps – but less so for more traditional systems.
• Under Awaab’s Law (social housing – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awaabs-law-draft-guidance-for-social-landlords/awaabs-law-draft-guidance-for-social-landlords) – social landlords must investigate damp and mould within 10 working days – so efficient heating will help prevent these issues.
• Grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will make switching more affordable by offering funding support, encouraging landlords to move towards more renewable heating.

In practice, this will mean:

• New social housing projects will be expected to include heat pumps as standard.
• Existing stock will need retrofitting and ongoing servicing to stay compliant.
• Tenants will need clear communication about how systems work – and reassurance they’ll be looked after as they should be.

The bigger picture: saving money, protecting tenants, and cutting carbon

Regular servicing may look like an expense on paper, but it quickly proves its value. It saves money, extends the life of the system, and ensures properties stay compliant with ever-tightening rules. Just as importantly, it delivers reliable comfort for tenants and helps reduce carbon emissions across housing stock.

Partnering with ServiceMy

RAt ServiceMy, we understand the challenges landlords and housing providers face, especially as the recent changes in take root in the changes around low-carbon requirements. 

Managing multiple properties is hard enough without worrying about heating systems. That’s why our service plans are built to keep things simple:

• Planned maintenance that prevents breakdowns and extends system life.
• 24/7 emergency call-outs to minimise disruption.
• Digital records and reminders that make compliance straightforward.
• Clear pricing you can budget for.
• Direct tenant communication, taking the admin burden off your shoulders.

Take the stress out of heating maintenance

Switching to heat pumps is a big step towards greener, safer housing. Keeping them serviced is what makes that step worthwhile.

Get in touch with ServiceMy today to discuss tailored service plans, responsive repairs, and round-the-clock support – and keep both your tenants and your investment protected.