The Decent Homes Standard is a set of UK Government guidelines focusing on improving and maintaining quality standards in UK Social Housing. Social Housing would include properties provided by local councils and housing associations.
What Does the Decent Homes Standard Cover?
The main points for a home to meet the Decent Homes Standard are as follows:
Statutory Minimum Standard: The house must be free from serious hazards, such as structural, health, and safety issues, problems with gas appliances, and faulty electrical circuits.
Reasonable State of Repair: The main parts of the house structure should be in good condition. Items such as doors, windows, roofs, and walls must be in good condition. A boiler must also be safe and in good condition.
Modern Facilities and Services: Homes should have modern kitchens and bathrooms. A kitchen should be less than 20 years old, and bathrooms less than 30 years old. This will ensure the heating and insulation are adequate to keep the home warm and energy efficient.
Thermal Comfort: Efficient heating systems and proper insulation, such as wall and loft insulation, are not just about energy efficiency and warmth; they are about reducing fuel poverty for residents.
The Effects of the Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Program improved housing significantly from 2000 onwards, with many homes refurbished to bring them up to an acceptable level. However, many properties still do not meet these standards, with large numbers of social housing having mold and damp problems. These are issues that should be addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure a decent standard of living for all tenants.
Decent Homes Standard and Private Rooms To Rent
While the Decent Homes Standard does not apply to privately rented accommodation or rooms to rent in shared properties or HMOs, there are similar standards that landlords should meet. These include on items such as electrical and gas safety.
Much of the detail will be set out in the Renters Rights Bill currently passing through the UK Parliament.
A minimum level of energy efficiency is also required in private rented homes. Since 2020, private landlords must ensure their rental properties meet a minimum EPC Value of E. In 2020, it was proposed to tighten the rules governing energy efficiency to legislate that all rental properties had a minimum EPC of C. This was to be introduced from 1 April 2025 for new tenancies and from 1 April 2028 for existing tenancies. However, this plan has been shelved, although it is likely to be revisited by the new government.
Discussions have taken place in recent years about extending the Decent Homes Standard to the Private Rented Sector in order to improve housing across all areas.
Are You a Tenant in a Home or rented Room Below Acceptable Standards?
If you are a tenant in a house or room in a shared property and you feel the accommodation doesn't meet the above standards, we would like to hear from you. In the first instance, please Contact Us here, with details of your experiences.