Decent Homes Standard 2.0: What's Changing for Social Housing

The Decent Homes Standard, introduced in 2000, has been the baseline quality measure for social housing for over two decades. The government's review and update—often referred to as Decent Homes 2.0 or DHS2—raises expectations significantly, particularly around damp, mould, and hazards.

Background: The Original Standard

The Four Criteria

The original Decent Homes Standard required properties to:

• Meet the statutory minimum standard: Free from Category 1 hazards under HHSRS
• Be in reasonable repair: Key building components not requiring replacement
• Have reasonably modern facilities: Kitchen and bathroom not too old
• Provide reasonable thermal comfort: Adequate heating and insulation

Limitations of the Original Standard

Over time, weaknesses became apparent:

• Focused on components rather than outcomes
• Didn't explicitly address damp and mould
• Thermal comfort criteria were minimal
• No consideration of energy efficiency beyond basic insulation
• Maintenance of decency not clearly required

Key Changes in the Updated Standard

Explicit Damp and Mould Requirements

The updated standard specifically addresses damp and mould:

• Zero tolerance: Homes must be free from serious damp and mould
• Proactive approach: Providers must identify and address issues, not just respond to complaints
• Root cause: Must address underlying causes, not just cosmetic treatment

This aligns with Awaab's Law requirements and Housing Ombudsman expectations.

Enhanced Safety Focus

Safety requirements are strengthened:

• Clearer expectations around hazard management
• Integration with building safety requirements
• Explicit reference to Awaab's Law compliance

Energy Efficiency

Moving beyond basic thermal comfort:

• Minimum EPC rating requirements (expected EPC C by 2030 for social housing)
• Alignment with net zero commitments
• Consideration of running costs for tenants

Maintenance of Decency

A crucial change in philosophy:

• Properties must remain decent, not just achieve decency once
• Ongoing compliance monitoring required
• Deterioration must be addressed, not tolerated

Impact on Housing Providers

Stock Condition Assessment

Providers need to understand their current position:

• Updated stock condition surveys addressing new criteria
• Specific assessment of damp and mould prevalence
• Energy performance data for all properties
• Identification of properties at risk of non-compliance

Investment Planning

Capital programmes may need revision:

• Prioritisation of properties failing new criteria
• Integration of damp remediation with planned works
• Retrofit programmes aligned with EPC targets
• Business planning for ongoing maintenance of decency

Monitoring and Reporting

Evidence of compliance will be scrutinised:

• Percentage of stock meeting the new standard
• Trajectory toward full compliance
• Evidence of maintaining decency over time
• Data on damp and mould cases and response

Damp and Mould: Specific Implications

What "Decent" Means for Damp

Under the updated standard, a decent home should:

• Be free from damp and mould caused by disrepair
• Have adequate ventilation to prevent condensation
• Have heating capable of maintaining reasonable temperatures
• Not pose health risks from moisture-related hazards

Assessing Compliance

Providers will need to demonstrate:

• Proactive identification of damp and mould issues
• Effective response within required timescales
• Root cause remediation, not just symptom treatment
• Ongoing monitoring to prevent recurrence

Non-Compliance Consequences

Properties failing damp and mould requirements will:

• Count as non-decent
• Require inclusion in improvement programmes
• Affect reported compliance rates
• Draw regulatory scrutiny

Timeline and Implementation

Expected Phasing

Implementation is expected to be phased:

• Immediate application of safety-critical requirements
• Transition period for energy efficiency improvements
• Full compliance expected within specified timeframe

Relationship with Other Requirements

DHS2 doesn't exist in isolation:

• Consumer Standards set broader quality expectations
• Awaab's Law establishes response timescales
• Building Safety Act addresses high-rise requirements
• Net zero targets drive energy efficiency agenda

Providers need a coherent strategy addressing all these requirements together.

Preparing for the New Standard

Immediate Actions

• Audit current position: How many properties would meet updated criteria?
• Assess damp prevalence: Do you know where issues exist?
• Review processes: Are identification and response mechanisms effective?
• Plan investment: What resources are needed for compliance?

Building Capability

• Staff training on updated requirements
• Data systems capturing relevant compliance information
• Contractor capacity for remediation works
• Monitoring systems for ongoing compliance

Proactive Monitoring

Environmental monitoring supports DHS2 compliance by:

• Identifying properties with developing issues
• Providing evidence of proactive approach
• Demonstrating ongoing maintenance of decency
• Supporting prioritisation of investment

The Bigger Picture

DHS2 is part of a broader transformation in social housing regulation:

• Greater accountability for property conditions
• More proactive regulatory oversight
• Higher expectations for data and evidence
• Tenant experience at the centre of quality assessment

Providers who prepare early will be better positioned than those who wait.