An updated Decent Homes Standard

Introduction

Updated February 2026.

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.

A new Decent Homes Standard will come into effect in 2035 (although Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards must be met by 2030) and apply to both the social and private rented sectors, including supported accommodation, at which point regulation and enforcement against these standards by the Regulator of Social Housing and local authority housing teams will begin.

The policy statement acknowledges that there may some cases in specific tenure types, such as supported or temporary accommodation, where it is not appropriate for landlords to meet certain elements of the Decent Homes Standard because this is not in the best interest of residents. However, this does not mean there will be blanket exemption. Guidance on circumstances where landlords can’t or shouldn’t meet some aspects of the standard, specific to both tenures, will be published.

To be decent a home must meet the following 5 criteria, these are set out in detail in the DHS Policy Statement.

Criterion A – A home must be free of the most dangerous hazards:

Properties must be free of ‘category 1’ hazards, as assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Criterion B – A home must be In a reasonable state of repair:

Homes will fail against this criterion if one or more key building components is not in a reasonable state of repair, or two or more other building components are not in a reasonable state of repair

Criterion C – A home must provide core facilities and services:

To meet this criterion, homes must provide a number of facilities including a kitchen with adequate space and layout, appropriately located bathroom and WC and adequate external noise insulation.

Criterion D – A home must provide thermal comfort:

Homes must provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort. This includes ensuring homes meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (see below).

Criterion E – A home should be free of damp and mould.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

The updated Decent Homes Standard introduces new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for both social and private rented homes, based on reformed Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) metrics covering fabric performance (how well the building retains heat), smart readiness (ability to use smart and renewable technologies such as solar PV), and heating systems (use of efficient, low-carbon heating). In the social rented sector, providers must ensure homes reach EPC C (or equivalent) against at least one metric by April 2030 and a second metric by April 2039. In the private rented sector, landlords must achieve EPC C or equivalent by October 2030, prioritising fabric improvements first, then smart readiness or heating, with a £10,000 cost cap and exemptions where standards cannot be met.

Implications for providers

Providers should familiarise themselves with the policy statement and start to consider if they will need to make any changes to the standards of their properties.
It is important to plan well in advance and not wait for the implementation date, as properties will be expected to be at the new Decent Homes Standard by 2035.
Providers will also need to consider the costs of implementing the standard and, where properties are leased from other landlords, who is responsible for meeting the standards.
There are a range of funding and support schemes for energy efficiency, usually run by or through the Local Authority.

Homeless Link will be sharing further information on government guidance and implementation of the Decent Homes Standard as soon as it is available.

Influencing this regulation

Homeless Link has responded formally to the Government’s consultation on updating the Decent Homes Standard. Our submission to the consultation 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.