What is non-regulated supported accommodation?

Non-regulated supported accommodation (NRSA) — often called supported exempt or specified accommodation — is housing that comes with care, support or supervision but is not registered with CQC or Ofsted. NRSA is a description, not a regulator: there is no NRSA inspection and no national NRSA scheme.

The law today

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 (SHROA) is law, but its licensing powers are not yet in force. Today providers must still meet:

Housing Benefit rules for exempt and specified accommodation (including evidence that more than minimal support is provided)
HMO licensing, fire safety law and housing health and safety (HHSRS)
Safeguarding, data protection and employment law
CQC registration if personal care is provided, and Ofsted registration for accommodation for 16–17 year olds

What is proposed: supported housing licensing

The government consulted on the draft Supported Housing (Licensing) (England) Regulations 2027 from 15 October to 10 December 2026. In outline, the drafts propose:

Every council becomes a licensing district, with 6 months to set up, then a 3-month transition, after which running without a licence is an offence
One licence per council area, lasting 5 years, with locally set fees
Named roles: licence holder, service manager and nominated individual, with a fit and proper person test
A licence condition to meet the six draft National Supported Housing Standards
A needs assessment when someone moves in, or within 4 weeks
Improvement notices, financial penalties (up to £7,000 or £40,000 depending on the breach), revocation, a public register and appeals to the First-tier Tribunal
Some exemptions, each needing an exemption notice (for example council housing, almshouses and certain commissioned services)

These are drafts. Details may change after the consultation.

The six draft National Supported Housing Standards

Person-centred support based on assessed needs
Empowerment — residents' voice, choice and complaints
Environment — safe, decent accommodation
Staff and safeguarding, including managing anti-social behaviour
Local need — services that fit local housing and support needs
Statement of purpose

What about SEAQAS?

SEAQAS is a local, voluntary quality scheme run in Birmingham (BVSC with Birmingham City Council). It is useful good practice for Birmingham providers but is not national and not statutory.

How to prepare now

Check your Housing Benefit evidence of support is complete and current
Bring property safety certificates, HMO licences and fire risk assessments up to date
Write or refresh your statement of purpose
Make sure every resident has an up-to-date needs assessment and support plan
Review safer recruitment, training and supervision records
Run a self-assessment against the six draft standards and fix the gaps

How MyCareAudit helps

MyCareAudit's NRSA master audit has 186 questions across 16 domains. This structure is MyCareAudit's own, mapped to the six draft National Supported Housing Standards and current housing law. Read our NRSA compliance guide, see the NRSA compliance hub, or read the official consultation.