A Reformed Decent Homes Standard Consultation Response

UKGBC responds to the Government's consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes.

Policy Document

This is a response to the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government’s consultation on reformations to the Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes. The Decent Homes Standard currently sets minimum requirements for social housing, but this consultation proposes important reforms to update and expand its scope. By extending the Standard to the private rented sector, it will create parity across tenures and help prevent tenants being forced to live in substandard conditions. The reforms also strengthen health and safety protections by addressing hazards such as damp, mould, and heating system failures, while updating requirements to comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

Ensuring that everyone has a safe, healthy, and decent home to live in is vital to public health, individual wellbeing, and the long-term resilience of our housing stock. We therefore strongly support the government’s intention to modernise the Standard, extend it to the private rented sector, and strengthen its alignment with wider energy and climate policy.

UKGBC welcomes the opportunity to respond to the relevant sections of this consultation and support the government in bringing about these reforms which must support decarbonisation, climate resilience, and long-term social and health benefits, from reducing fuel poverty to improving mental and physical health, and helping residents feel more pride in their homes and communities.

UKGBC Response – Decent Homes Standard Reform Response

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