Introduction
The Decent Homes Standard currently sets minimum conditions for social homes, including defining a reasonable state of repair, how often kitchens and bathrooms should be replaced and standards of warmth and insulation. The Decent Homes Standard has been under review for several years, with successive Governments looking at updating the standard to better address issues like damp and mould and energy efficiency.
It looks like concrete changes to the standard will be made under this Government. They consulted on an updated and reformed Decent Homes Standard between July and September 2025. The consultation sought views on updating the existing Decent Homes Standard, which currently applies to social housing, as well as on how the updated Decent Homes Standard should apply to the private rented sector in future, once the Renters’ Rights Act has taken effect and implementation dates have been agreed.
Some key proposals in the consultation included:
- Updating the definition of disrepair, shifting away from age requirements and toward the actual condition of facilities
- Introducing a new standard for damp and mould, and how this standard will interact with Awaab’s Law which is now in effect
- Allowing for some flexibility as to how the DHS is applied to Temporary Accommodation
- Possible timeframes for implementation.
The consultation is tied in with other regulatory changes that providers should be aware of, such as changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and a possible requirement for all social and private rented homes to reach EPC C or equivalent by 2030.
The Renters’ Rights Act means that the updated Decent Homes Standard will eventually apply to all privately rented housing, including all privately rented supported exempted accommodation (whether occupied under tenancies or licences). The definition of ‘supported exempt accommodation’ is the same as in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, so would include hostels.
The Government has suggested that the updated Decent Homes Standard will be in force for the social and private rented sectors from either 2035 or 2037, although they have set out an expectation that landlords should commence works earlier wherever feasible, and are consulting on possibly phasing in elements of the DHS sooner than 2035.
Providers should familiarise themselves with the current consultation proposals and keep an eye out for future updates on the Government’s decisions around the detail of the new standard, and timings for implementation.
Homeless Link will keep you updated as and when the Government formally responds to the consultation and when we receive any other new information.
More information and useful links
A decent home: definition and guidance - GOV.UK
Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes – GOV.UK
Homeless Link blog on what the Decent Homes Standard means for homelessness services
Influencing this regulation
Homeless Link has responded formally to the Government’s consultation on updating the Decent Homes Standard. Our submission to the consultation, and a blog summarising key considerations for supported accommodation providers, is linked above.
Please contact Alex Worrell if you have additional thoughts or concerns about how the new Decent Homes Standard will affect your service.
