One in 10 social homes in England is still failing to meet basic standards set by the government. The claim comes from Inventory Base, who suggest that nearly 405,000 properties fall below the Decent Homes Standard (DHS).
The DHS, which is a minimum set of criteria for housing in the UK, applies to all social and private rented properties. The DHS states that all social housing must be in a reasonable state of repair, be equipped with modern facilities, have efficient heating systems and be free from serious hazards.
However, Inventory Base’s recent analysis shows that DHS non-compliance is still an issue. In 2013, seven years after the DHS was introduced, almost 593,000 social homes fell below the standard.
By 2023, this had fallen by 27.8%, but approximately 428,000 social rented homes still failed to meet the required standard. The recent Inventory Base forecast puts this figure at 405,000 in 2025, which is remarkably high, almost 20 years on from the introduction of the DHS.
This announcement comes just as Awaab’s Law took effect on the 27th October. From now on, new legislation requires all social landlords to address emergency health and safety hazards within strict timeframes.
Now that the first phase of Awaab’s Law has come into force, the findings from Inventory Base are a reminder that legislation alone will not transform housing conditions.Â
While Awaab’s Law is a positive step for tenant safety, it might not be as effective as hoped without robust enforcement.Â
That’s why, to deal with these new changes and requirements from day one, you need to ensure your software and systems are up to the job.
At ROCC, we offer a comprehensive suite of housing maintenance and repairs software, with all the tools social landlords need to comply with Awaab’s Law.
Get in touch with a member of our team today for more information and help ensure Awaab’s Law is a success for the social housing sector.
