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
52 Recommendations
40 Conclusions
3 Reports
7 Oral sessions
16 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 28 events
15 Jul
2026
Correspondence
8 Jul
2026
Correspondence
7 Jul
2026
Oral evidence
3 Jul
2026
Report published
24 Jun
2026
Report published
17 Jun
2026
Correspondence
17 Jun
2026
Correspondence
22 May
2026
Correspondence
19 May
2026
Correspondence
28 Apr
2026
Report published
22 Apr
2026
Report published
14 Apr
2026
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
7 Jul 2026
View on parliament.uk
Oral Evidence
Emma Payne · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Joanna Key · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Matthew Pennycook MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
14 Apr 2026
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
7 results
Clear
10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Revise fuel poverty definition to include homes meeting minimum energy efficiency standards
In the forthcoming Fuel Poverty Strategy, we recommend that the Government revise the official definition of fuel poverty to reflect the fact that those living in homes compliant with the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard may still struggle to heat … Read more
Government Response
The government will not revise the official definition of fuel poverty, but will place a stronger emphasis on energy affordability with a new affordability indicator, and will report annually on average required energy costs as a proportion of household income.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
6 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Housing Conditions in…
The government must require local authorities to carry-out mandatory inspections before properties are first used...
The government must require local authorities to carry-out mandatory inspections before properties are first used as temporary accommodation, ahead of new households moving in and periodically thereafter. As we mentioned in our last report, the government should provide additional funding, … Read more
Government Response
The government states existing guidance obliges housing authorities to review conditions and that good management involves inspections. It highlights a new power for local authorities (from summer 2026) to issue fines for Category 1 hazards in private rented temporary accommodation, but does not commit to mandatory inspections or additional funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Housing Conditions in…
The government must require all local authorities funded to carry out local audits to assess,...
The government must require all local authorities funded to carry out local audits to assess, and report on, the suitability of the space provided to households in different types of temporary accommodation and the impact the availability of this space … Read more
Government Response
The government states that existing requirements address overcrowding but commits to working with the sector to better understand the issue, ensure enforcement guidance highlights overcrowding, and investigate options to improve data collection on overcrowding and hazards to strengthen the evidence base.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Housing Conditions in…
The government must ensure that there are effective sanctions in place for local authorities who...
The government must ensure that there are effective sanctions in place for local authorities who repeatedly breach the six-week limit and who are not taking reasonable steps to eliminate their use of B&Bs by the end of the Parliament. The … Read more
Government Response
The government states that data on councils breaching the six-week B&B limit is already published and they will use existing escalation routes to address poor performance and call out councils. They also commit to clarifying expectations for out-of-area placements and engaging with stakeholders to address poor practice.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
16 Conclusion Accepted in Part
5th Report - Housing Conditions in…
We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from...
We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from housing families, including single mothers with children, in accommodation where they need to share facilities with single male adults. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
Government Response
The government agrees that safeguarding risks must be mitigated and will engage with the sector to consider amending guidance to ensure it is absolutely clear that children's safety must be prioritised in temporary accommodation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
22 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Housing Conditions in…
The government must require local authorities to conduct mandatory inspections before placing households in temporary...
The government must require local authorities to conduct mandatory inspections before placing households in temporary accommodation to determine that the accommodation they have arranged adequately caters for people’s physical and medical needs. The Government should also strengthen the statutory guidance … Read more
Government Response
The government does not commit to mandatory inspections before placement but states that good temporary accommodation management involves inspections. It commits to strengthening statutory guidance by reviewing and updating the Care Act 2014 guidance and publishing new support guidance to improve practice for those with complex needs.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
23 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Housing Conditions in…
The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part...
The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part of their action plans to highlight where there are gaps in provision and demonstrate how the funds allocated through the Local Authority Housing Fund are … Read more
Government Response
The government states that local authorities are developing supported housing strategies that will forecast demand for complex needs, and these plans will be published. Regarding M4(2) standards, they consulted on proposals for a national minimum of 40% new housing to meet M4(2) standards and are analyzing responses, with a response to come in due course.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 59 of 52 classified
Accepted 21
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 13
Deferred 11
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 3
Total 52 recs + 40 conclusions
Correspondence 16 letters
15 Jul 2026 To committee Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy to the Chair dated 13 July 2026 concerning the quality of new-build homes
Parliament page
8 Jul 2026 To committee Letter from Age UK to the Chair dated 16 June 2026 concerning accessibility standards in new homes
Parliament page
17 Jun 2026 To committee Letter from the National Residential Landlords Association to the Chair dated 19 November 2025 concerning further points on Housing Conditions in England
Parliament page
17 Jun 2026 To committee Letter from the Nationwide Foundation to the Chair dated 11 November 2025 concerning standards in the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
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 7 January 2026 concerning 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
3 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from TDS Charitable Foundation to the Chair dated 24 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 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 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 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