What is the Decent Homes Standard?

The current Decent Homes Standard, introduced in 2006, replaced the previous non-statutory standard ‘A decent home: the definition and guidance for implementation’ and has played a key role in setting the minimum standards that social homes are required to meet.

What is the definition of a ‘decent home’?

A decent home meets the following four criteria:

a) It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing

• Dwellings which fail to meet this criterion are those containing one or more hazards assessed as serious (‘Category 1’) under the HHSRS.

b) It is in a reasonable state of repair

Dwellings which fail to meet this criterion are those where either:

• one or more of the key building components are old and, because of their condition, need replacing or major repair; or
• two or more of the other building components are old and, because of their condition, need replacing or major repair.

c) It has reasonably modern facilities and services

Dwellings which fail to meet this criterion are those which lack three or more of the following:

• a reasonably modern kitchen (20 years old or less);
• a kitchen with adequate space and layout; l a reasonably modern bathroom (30 years old or less);
• an appropriately located bathroom and WC; l adequate insulation against external noise (where external noise is a problem); and
• adequate size and layout of common areas for blocks of flats.

A home lacking two or fewer of the above is still classed as decent, therefore it is not necessary to modernise kitchens and bathrooms if a home meets the remaining criteria.

d) It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

This criterion requires dwellings to have both effective insulation and efficient heating. It should be noted that, whilst dwellings meeting criteria b, c and d are likely also to meet criterion a, some Category 1 hazards may remain to be addressed. For example, a dwelling meeting criterion d may still contain a Category 1 damp or cold hazard.

Decent Homes Standard under review

In the Social Housing white paper, published on 17 November 2020, the government committed to review the Decent Homes Standard. Consequently, a two‑part review of the Decent Homes Standard launched in 2021, with part 1 concluding the standard remained broadly suitable and effective but an update would 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.

For more information, view guidance on the Government website or review other UK standards and regulations.

*Please note: The above summary is based on FireAngel’s interpretation of The Decent Homes Standard, always refer to the standard for specific guidance.