Decent Homes Standard: review
Information on the review of the Decent Homes Standard.
Applies to England and Northern Ireland
1. Background
The Decent Homes Standard has played a key role in setting the minimum standards that social homes are required to meet since the early 2000s. During our consultation events for the Social housing green paper, we heard that 72% of respondents agreed that changes to what constitutes a decent home should be considered.
That is why, in the Social housing white paper, published on 17 November 2020, the government committed to review the Decent Homes Standard.
The Levelling up white paper built on this ambition, setting a mission for the number of non-decent rented homes to have fallen by 50% with the biggest improvements in the lowest performing areas, alongside consulting on a legally binding Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector for the first time.
2. The Review
The aim of Part 1 of the Social Housing Decent Homes Standard Review, which concluded in autumn 2021, was to understand to what extent the current Standard is the right ask of the social housing sector today and to consider the case for change.
Part 1 feedback made clear the standard remains broadly suitable and effective, but that updates may be beneficial.
Part 2 of the review began in spring 2022 following the Levelling up white paper announcements exploring both the application of the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector and potential regulatory changes to the standard that would apply to both sectors.
We have published a consultation on applying the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. The consultation runs from 2 September to 14 October 2022.
3. Stakeholder engagement
The government convened a sounding board of residents, experts, landlords and sector representatives across social and private rented sectors to help and support this work.
Other interested stakeholders, including individual social housing residents, private rented residents, landlords, academics, and those holding a commercial interest in the review, can register to receive updates on the review. To register, please email: DecentHomesReview@levellingup.gov.uk.
4. Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Standard is currently applicable to the social rented sector. See A decent home: definition and guidance.
The consultation to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector was published on 2 September 2022. See A Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector: consultation.