The Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is a minimum technical standard established by the UK Government for social rented homes to ensure they are safe, in a good state of repair, have reasonably modern facilities, and provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort. While historically applied exclusively to the social housing sector, the government is actively consulting on extending a reformed version of the DHS to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in England.
Core Criteria (Current Social Housing Standard) #
For a dwelling to be considered ‘decent’ under the existing framework, it must meet all four criteria:
- Meet the Current Statutory Minimum Standard for Housing (Criterion A): The dwelling must be free of Category 1 Hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), directly addressing severe risks like extreme damp and mould growth or structural instability.
- Be in a Reasonable State of Repair (Criterion B): Key building components (e.g., roofs, walls, windows) must not be old and, because of their condition, require replacing or major repair. From a technical perspective, this extends to ensuring that installed mechanical ventilation systems (like MVHR units or continuous extract fans) are functional and correctly maintained.
- Have Reasonably Modern Facilities and Services (Criterion C): This relates to the age and condition of essential amenities, such as a modern, appropriately located kitchen and bathroom.
- Provide a Reasonable Degree of Thermal Comfort (Criterion D): The dwelling must have both effective insulation and efficient heating. This requirement is intrinsically linked to minimum energy efficiency standards and carbon reduction goals.
Technical Application and Best Practice Ventilation Bias #
From a technical building consultant’s perspective, achieving the DHS, particularly Criteria A (HHSRS) and D (Thermal Comfort), necessitates a robust ventilation strategy:
- Mitigating Damp and Mould (Criterion A): The principal Category 1 Hazard of Damp and Mould Growth is often a ventilation failure. Remediation in retrofit schemes must ensure the adequate and continuous removal of moisture-laden air. Continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (CMEV) or Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) are often specified as best practice to manage indoor air quality (IAQ) and humidity, especially after the home’s airtightness has been improved.
- Compliance with Approved Document F: Any major retrofit work, such as insulating walls or replacing windows, triggers the requirements of Approved Document F (AD F), Volume 1: Dwellings (latest edition 2021, effective June 2022 in England). This mandates that the building’s ventilation must not be worsened and usually requires the installation of trickle ventilators in new windows or a fully specified mechanical system to compensate for reduced natural air leakage.