The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly referred to as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and introduces a new legal framework to enhance the UK’s preparedness and protection against terrorist attacks. It is slowly coming into force and is expected to be fully in force by 2027. Although the legislation primarily affects sectors such as retail, hospitality, entertainment, transport, and education, there are circumstances in which social housing providers will need to be aware of it and make provision.
Statutory guidance will be published by the Home Office, and the SIA will issue regulatory guidance. Both will help landlords determine if their premises are in scope and how to comply. These are expected to be available in 2026.
The Act creates statutory duties for those responsible for certain publicly accessible premises and events to ensure proportionate protective security measures are in place. These duties are tiered and based on the number of people reasonably expected to be present:
- Standard Tier: 200–799 people
- Enhanced Tier: 800+ people
The Act applies only to premises meeting specific criteria, including that they:
- Contain at least one building; and
- Are wholly or mainly used for a purpose listed in the Act including shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, sports grounds, educational institutions, hospitals, places of worship. Schedule 1 of the Act sets out the list of purposes which are covered.
Social housing premises
Providers will note that residential premises are not in scope. As a result, social landlords are not generally obliged to implement terrorism‑related security procedures or structural measures solely because of residents living in a building.
However, although ordinary residential premises are excluded, mixed‑use or public‑facing facilities owned or managed by social landlords could fall within scope if they are listed in Schedule 1 and meet occupancy thresholds.
A. Community centres and shared public buildings
Many housing providers operate community halls or centres within estates. If such a facility can reasonably host 200 or more people, it could qualify.
B. Retail or café units within housing developments
Ground‑floor shops, cafés, or other commercial premises owned by a provider may bring the premises into scope if the relevant space is wholly or mainly used for a Schedule 1 purpose and meets capacity thresholds.
C. Public events organised or hosted by the provider
If a social landlord runs a public‑facing event where 800+ people may be present at any one time, the event may fall under the enhanced tier, even if it is held on otherwise residential land or premises.
D. Mixed‑use developments with public amenities
Estates that incorporate public‑facing sports facilities, day centres, or museums (common in regeneration projects) may bring parts of the site into scope.
Duties if a social housing provider is in scope
Where a landlord controls qualifying non‑residential premises, duties may include:
Standard Tier (200–799 people)
- Notifying the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as the regulator
- Implementing proportionate public protection procedures (evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication)
Enhanced Tier (800+ people)
In addition to the above:
- Implementing public protection measures to reduce vulnerability
- Documenting measures and submitting information to the SIA
- Appointing a designated senior individual
Conclusion
For most social landlords, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 brings no new compliance burden. However, providers with mixed‑use facilities or high‑capacity community venues should carefully assess whether parts of their estate fall within the Act’s scope.
We can advise social housing providers in respect of their duties under Martyn’s Law. We can assist you with auditing non-residential premises, reviewing arrangements for events and providing updates with regard to the government guidance that is expected in 2026.