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 sets a minimum standard for all social housing in England and Northern Ireland, excluding leasehold and shared ownership properties.
To meet this standard our properties must meet 4 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.
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.
The dwelling is considered not to have reasonably modern facilities 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 water closet 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 3 or more items from the following need major repair or replacement: cold or drinking water supply, hot water, sink, cooking provision, cupboards and worktops
- for bathrooms - where 2 or more items from the following need a major repair or replacement: bath, wash hand basin and water closet
For central Heating it's where the system is damaged.
Homes fit for Habitation
Alongside the Decent Homes Standard we must also ensure that our homes are ‘fit for habitation’; which means that they are safe, healthy and free from things that could cause you or anyone else in your household serious harm. If you do not feel your home is ‘fit for habitation’ then you should report this immediately to our Repairs Team by telephone: 01904 551550 (option 4, option 1).