A Decent Home is one which is
wind and weather tight, warm and has modern
facilities.
The Decent Homes Standard was introduced by Central
Government in July 2000 following a spending review.
To qualify as "Decent" a home must meet all of the following
criteria:
- It meets current statutory minimum standard for
housing
- It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort
- It is in a reasonable state of repair
- It has reasonably modern facilities and services.
Each of these criteria is itself defined by a number of detailed
sub-criteria.
The Decent Homes Standard does not include several types of
important work, including environmental and security improvements,
and the repair or replacement of lifts in tall blocks.
The government believes that setting a national
target and a common definition of a suitable standard will enable
all social landlords can work towards the same
goal.