A Reformed Decent Homes Standard for Social and Privately Rented Homes Consultation

Overview

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking feedback on the reforms to the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) proposed in this consultation.  Notably, the reformed DHS will now apply to both social and privately rented homes in England. This consultation invites views on potential changes to the DHS, its implementation, and timelines.

These proposals should be considered alongside the consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for the social housing sector, also published on 2 July 2025. A copy of the consultation and the online survey can be accessed by clicking the link below.

This consultation will last for 10 weeks from  Wednesday, 2 July 2025 to 11:45pm on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.

The consultation is separated into the following sections:

• Ministerial Foreword
• Demography Questions
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Section 1: Policy Context and Background
• Section 2: The Decent Homes Standard Review
• Section 3: Proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard
• Section 4: Application of the Decent Homes Standard to Other Tenures
• Section 5: Best Practice Guidance
• Section 6: Implementing the revised Decent Home Standard
• Section 7: Meeting the revised Decent Home Standard
• Annexes: Glossary of terms used and a list of Sounding Board members

Please click the link below to access a copy of this consultation on GOV.UK along with a copy of an interim Impact Assessment.

We welcome feedback from all interested parties on our proposals, in particular tenants, registered providers of social housing, landlords of private rented homes, leaseholders, commonholders, providers and people living in supported housing or temporary accommodation, and industry bodies.

There are 53 questions in total.

Most questions are open to all respondents, but some are specifically aimed at social housing landlords and tenants, as well as private rented landlords and tenants, which will be clearly indicated. Section 4 contains specific questions for supported housing, temporary accommodation, leaseholders, and commonholders involved in the implementation of DHS.

For any enquiries about the consultation please email: 

DecentHomesReview@communities.gov.uk

Why your views matter

Your opinions are valuable to us. We encourage everyone to use this opportunity to share their opinions on the proposals for a reformed Decent Homes Standard, which will apply to the social and privately rented sectors in England.

Thank you for taking the time to read the consultation document and respond.