The Government has set a target to ensure that all social housing meets standards of decency by 2010. Social housing means homes that are owned by your local authority or a Registered Social Landlord (RSL). RSLs are also sometimes called Housing Associations.
A decent home is one that is wind and weather tight, warm and has modern facilities.
In 2002 this target was extended to cover 70% of vulnerable private sector households. Waltham Forest Council are striving to achieve this target and aim to enable every household in the borough to live in a home with basic decency standards.
The basic principles of the Decent Homes Standard are:
- It must meet the current statutory minimum standard for housing
Homes below this standard are those defined as unfit under section 604 of the Housing Act 1985 (as amended by the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act) - It must be in a reasonable state of repair
Homes which fail to meet this standard are those where either:
– one or more of the key building components are old and, because of their condition, need replacing or major repair; or
– two or more of the other building components are old and, because of their condition, need replacing– or major repair - It must have reasonably modern facilities and services
Homes which fail to meet this standard are those which don't have three or more of the following:
– reasonably modern kitchen (20 years old or less)
– a kitchen with adequate space and layout
– a reasonably modern bathroom (30 years old or less)
– an appropriately located bathroom and WC
– adequate insulation against external noise (where external noise is a problem)
– adequate size and layout of common areas for blocks of flats - It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort
This means that your home must have both effective insulation and efficient heating
You can find a full definition of the Decent Homes Standard on the Communities and Local Government website.
