Housing Conditions in England

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 3 Jul 2025 Parliament page
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is holding an inquiry into the condition of homes in England. The Government has set out plans to deliver a decade of renewal in the provision of social and affordable homes , including a “transformational” and “lasting change in the safety and quality … Read more
26 Recommendations
33 Conclusions
2 Reports
6 Oral sessions
12 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 27 events
22 May
2026
Correspondence
19 May
2026
Correspondence
28 Apr
2026
Report published
22 Apr
2026
Report published
14 Apr
2026
Oral evidence
14 Apr
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
26 Feb
2026
Correspondence
9 Feb
2026
Report published
27 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
27 Jan
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
14 Jan
2026
Correspondence
14 Jan
2026
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
14 Apr 2026
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Oral Evidence
Chloe Fletcher · Chartered Institute of Housing Jennie Daly · Taylor Wimpey Nigel Cates · The New Homes Ombudsman Service Richard Smith · National House Building Council Stephen Teagle · Vistry Group Steve Turner · Home Builders Federation
27 Jan 2026
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Oral Evidence
Christa Maciver · Justlife Foundation Councillor Grace Williams · London Councils Dr Laura Neilson · Shared Health Foundation Joe Lane · Office of the Children's Commissioner Joseph Donohue · Greater Manchester Combined Authority Matt Downie · Crisis Paul Kitson · Newham Council Stephen Philpott · Birmingham City Council
25 Nov 2025
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Oral Evidence
Ashlea Birch · Manchester City Council Fiona MacGregor · Regulator of Social Housing Ian Sanders · Hull City Council James Wilson · Great Yarmouth Borough Council Joe Roberts · Cornwall Council Jonathan Walters · Regulator of Social Housing
4 Nov 2025
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Oral Evidence
Anny Cullum · ACORN Ben Beadle · National Residential Landlords Association Deborah Garvie · Shelter Dr Jennifer Harris · TDS Charitable Foundation Kate Markey · Nationwide Foundation Nye Jones · Generation Rent Timothy Douglas · Propertymark
14 Oct 2025
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Oral Evidence
Alistair Smyth · National Housing Federation Councillor Sarah King · Southwark Council Craig Moule · Sanctuary Ian McDermott · G15 Kwajo Tweneboa Nic Bliss · Stop Social Housing Stigma Richard Blakeway · Housing Ombudsman Service
9 Sep 2025
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Oral Evidence
Dr Henry Dawson · Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Helen Garrett · Building Research Establishment Michael Erhardt · Disability Rights UK Millie Brown · Centre for Better Ageing Professor Sir Michael Marmot · Institute for Health Equity
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
2 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Government social housing plans do not address systemic drivers of poor conditions.
We support the Government’s plans to raise the standard of social homes over the next decade, while boosting supply. These actions will go some way to improving the quality and safety of social homes. However, the Government’s plans do not … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Phase 1 of Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, and they are working closely with stakeholders on next steps for phases 2 and 3.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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3 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Publish Long-term Housing Strategy for improving social homes and regenerating existing stock.
The Long-term Housing Strategy must put in place a long-term approach for improving and maintaining social homes and addressing the systemic drivers of poor housing quality, especially a long-term approach to the regeneration of existing social homes. We reiterate our … Read more
Government Response
The government published a five-step plan including a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, £2.5 billion in low-interest loans, and an extension of the 'preferential' borrowing rate.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Decent Homes Standard previously outdated and in urgent need of reform
We welcome the Government’s changes to the Decent Homes Standard. The current standard has been out-of-date for some time and is in urgent need of reform, given that it was last updated in 2006. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
Government Response
The government responded to its consultation on an updated and modernised Decent Homes Standard and aims to drive down rates of non-decency across the country and support landlords.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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15 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
New regulatory compliance costs risk limiting investment in new social homes
While we welcome the steps the Government has taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity, a lot of the extra rental income social landlords receive could be absorbed by the new compliance costs placed on them, thereby limiting their ability … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing programmes and investments aimed at improving the safety, quality, and supply of social housing, including rent policy, building safety funding, low-interest loans, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Establish a long-term approach for social home regeneration within the Housing Strategy
There is a real risk that the costs of new regulatory requirements may lead to an increase in social landlords choosing to sell homes that have reached, or are approaching, the end of their intended lifespan, at a time when … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing programmes and investments aimed at improving the safety, quality, and supply of social housing, including rent policy, building safety funding, low-interest loans, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Publish an assessment of new regulatory requirements' cumulative impact on social home supply
The Government must publish an assessment of the cumulative impact the new regulatory requirements are likely to have on the supply of social homes over the next decade. This assessment should consider how the cumulative costs of the new regulatory … Read more
Government Response
The government claims the Decent Homes Standard Final Impact Assessment and social housing MEES Impact Assessment already set out potential impacts on the supply of new social housing.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme to raise social housing standards
There is a strong case for the Government to establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme that supports social landlords to raise the standard of social homes. This programme should consist of: a. a single housing quality framework or strategy … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Regulator of Social Housing has introduced a new consumer regulation regime, details its commitment to grant funding, and highlights its work with the industry to provide high-quality training opportunities.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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20 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Robust measures of redress are vital for newly built social homes disputes
It is vital that there are robust measures of redress in place to resolve disputes about the quality of newly built social homes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
Government Response
The government states it remains committed to implementing a statutory New Homes Ombudsman scheme and that social housing tenants can already access support from the Housing Ombudsman.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 21 of 26 classified
Accepted 8
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 2
Total 26 recs + 33 conclusions
Correspondence 12 letters
22 May 2026 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 20 May 2026 concerning new build homes
Parliament page
19 May 2026 To committee Letter from the Home Builders Federation to the Chair dated 1 May 2026 concerning development costs and accessibility
Parliament page
26 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Regulator of Social Housing to the Chair dated 23 February 2026 following up oral evidence on Housing Conditions in England
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 9 January 2026 concerning accessibility standards in new homes
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 7 January 2026 concerning housing conditions in England
Parliament page
3 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from TDS Charitable Foundation to the Chair dated 25 November 2025 concerning housing conditions and renters rights
Parliament page
27 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 26 November 2025 following up correspondence on accessibility standards in new homes
Parliament page
20 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 20 November 2025 concerning Housing Conditions in England
Parliament page
12 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 7 November concerning accessibility standards in new homes
Parliament page
12 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the National Housing Federation to the Chair dated 4 November 2025 following up oral evidence given before the Committee on 14 October
Parliament page
12 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from Sanctuary Housing to the Chair dated 4 November following up oral evidence given before the Committee on 14 October
Parliament page
15 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 15 October 2025 concerning accessibility standards in new homes
Parliament page