Pennycook says revamped standard balances cost of improving existing stock with need to boost supply
The government has chosen not to include various measures, including mandatory floor coverings, in its revamped Decent Homes Standard.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook, in a parliamentary written statement this afternoon, said: “Having carefully considered feedback to the consultation, we will not introduce enhanced home security regulations, a mandatory floor coverings requirement, or an obligation for landlords to meet repair standards within the public realm.”
Pennycook said the government recognises some landlords already provide floor coverings but many residents struggle to provide basic furnishings, so government will look to identify cost-effective ways landlords can support tenants in need.
The National Housing Federation last year warned it cannot support the floor coverings requirement unless funding is made available. Sovereign Network Group warned meeting such a requirement would cost it £6m a year.
The new Decent Homes Standard (DHS) will apply from 2035, which Pennycook said will give landlords time to “plan carefully to implement the changes.”
The DHS will focus on condition as the primary factor for compliance, rather than the age of a property.
Pennycook said: “The new, modernised DHS necessarily balances the cost implications of improving the quality of existing rented homes with the need to increase social and affordable housing supply given the importance of the latter to moving people, including many vulnerable children, out of unsuitable temporary accommodation.”
The final standard will be published today and guidance will be published “in due course” on how providers can comply, said Pennycook.
The government also said it will publish the final Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard today. Pennycook said all new and existing social rented properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C, using reformed EPCs, in a choice of fabric performance, smart readiness or heating system metric, by 1 April 2030.
The compliance date to meet a second metric has been extended, so that all new and existing social rented properties must meet the equivalent of EPC C in a second metric by 1 April 2039.
Tracy Harrison, chief executive of the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), said: ”The government has listened to and responded to feedback from NHC members on the new Decent Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
“The new standards take on board consultation findings, and, as a result, are more practical to implement and will improve the quality of homes across the north.”
Ministers have announced several policies in the last 24 hours, including the level of rent convergence uplift, details of its £2.5bn low cost loans fund for registered providers and changes to section 106 and Housing Revenue Account thresholds.
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