Private Sector Housing

Decent Homes

The government has drawn up a new 'decent homes' standard. It expects councils and Housing Associations to bring all their properties up to this standard by 2010.

We want everyone in the borough (including owner-occupiers and private tenants) to have the opportunity to live in a home which meets this standard by 2010.

To qualify as a 'decent home' a property must:

Be 'fit for human habitation' (see page on unfitness)
Be in a reasonable state of repair
Have reasonably modern facilities and services
Provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

A full definition of the 'decent homes standard' is available at Communities and Local Government's website.

One of our conditions for providing financial assistance for home improvement is that the improvements must bring the property up to the decent homes standard.

If your home falls short of the decent homes standard and you would like some advice, please contact the Private Sector Housing Team.