Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Standard sets out minimum criteria a home must meet to be considered fit for habitation, including safety, state of repair, facilities and thermal comfort.
4 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
The Decent Homes Standard sets out minimum criteria a home must meet to be considered fit for habitation, including safety, state of repair, facilities and thermal comfort.
Origins
Originally developed for social housing, an updated Decent Homes Standard is being extended to the private rented sector.
Key criteria
Freedom from serious hazards, reasonable state of repair, modern facilities and effective heating and insulation.
Relevance to landlords
Meeting decent homes criteria helps landlords avoid enforcement action and improves marketability.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.