The Decent Homes Standard is a Government scheme introduced in 2000. Councils were required to ensure that by the end of 2010 all their homes meet the Government’s decent homes standard and continue to do so. The decent homes standard is a technical standard for public housing (both Council and Housing Association).
To meet this standard our properties must meet four criteria:
- Meet the current statutory minimum standard for housing.
- Be in a reasonable state of repair.
- Have reasonably modern facilities and services.
- Provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
Reasonably modern facilities means:
The dwelling is considered not to meet this criteria if it lacks 3 or more of the following facilities.
- A kitchen that is not more than 20 years old.
- A kitchen of adequate size and layout.
- A bathroom that is not more than 30 years old.
- A bathroom and WC that is appropriately located e.g. not in a bedroom.
- Adequate insulation against noise from outside the home.
- For blocks of flats, the communal areas need to be of adequate size and layout.
Poor condition means:
For kitchens: Where three or more items from the following need major repair or replacement: cold/ drinking water supply, hot water, sink, cooking provision, cupboards, and worktops.
For bathrooms: Where two or more items from the following need a major repair or replacement: bath, wash hand basin, WC.
For central Heating: Where the system is damaged.
Minimum Standard
To meet the current statutory minimum standard for housing a property must be free of category 1 hazards in accordance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Some examples of Category 1 hazards are:
- Lead drinking water pipes.
- Excessive cold due to no form of heating.
Reasonable state of repair means:
- A kitchen that is not more than 30 years old and in reasonable condition.
- A bathroom that is not more than 40 years old and in reasonable condition.
- Central heating pipework and radiators that are not more than 40 years old and in reasonable condition.
- A home would fail this part of the standard if two or more of the above were over these age limits and in poor condition, beyond repair or is unsuitable.
The types of works are carried out through our planned programme of works and are reviewed annually.