What is the Decent Homes Standard?

The Decent Homes Standard has been set by the Government and all of our homes must meet this standard. The criteria for a ‘decent home’ is as follows:

1. It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing, without any serious (category one) hazards listed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

2. It is in a reasonable state of repair.

3. It has reasonably modern facilities and services, including:

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

A home lacking two or fewer of the above can still be classed as decent.

4. It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort, with both effective insulation and efficient heating.

Homes That Are Fit For Human Habitation

Alongside the Decent Homes Standard, we must also make sure that all of our homes are fit for habitation. This means that they are safe, healthy and free from things that could cause you or anyone else in your household serious harm.

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, the following will be considered when deciding if a home is fit for habitation:

  • the building has been neglected and is in a bad condition
  • the building is unstable
  • there’s a serious problem with damp
  • it has an unsafe layout
  • there’s not enough natural light
  • there’s not enough ventilation
  • there is a problem with the supply of hot and cold water
  • there are problems with the drainage or the lavatories
  • it’s difficult to prepare and cook food or wash up
  • or any of the 29 hazards set out in the Housing Health and Safety (England) Regulations 2005