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
6 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Provide clear roadmap and guidance for the remaining phases of Awaab's Law.
Even though social landlords have been anticipating the introduction of Awaab’s Law for some time, the way the Government managed the introduction of Phase 1 unnecessarily added to the uncertainty and complexity providers had to grapple with to ensure they … Read more
Government Response
The government responded to its consultation on an updated Decent Homes Standard, designed to meet modern expectations of housing quality and provides certainty to plan and spread costs long-term with a deadline of 2035.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Retrofitting social homes requires accelerated progress and clearer funding certainty.
Progress at retrofitting social homes needs to accelerate if the sector is going to upgrade the remaining homes up to the required standard by 2030. The Government has not yet provided sufficient clarity to the sector on the funding available … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is focused on delivering transformational change and rebuilding financial capacity, but does not specifically address the lack of clarity on retrofit funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Urgently provide clarity on funding for social housing retrofit improvements.
The Government needs to urgently provide the sector with clarity on the funding that will be available over the remainder of this Parliament to help providers deliver the necessary improvements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)
Government Response
The government states that the Regulator of Social Housing has introduced a new consumer regulation regime and is committed to developing detailed guidance on the revised Decent Homes Standard, but provides no specific details on funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Introduce a process to periodically review and update the Decent Homes Standard
The Government must introduce a process to periodically review and, if necessary, update the Decent Homes Standard at least every 10 years to ensure it reflects the changing needs of the population, environmental pressures, scientific evidence of the hazards to … Read more
Government Response
The government responded to its consultation on an updated Decent Homes Standard, designed to meet modern expectations of housing quality and provides certainty to plan and spread costs long-term with a deadline of 2035.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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18 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Social housing providers lack capacity to deliver improvements due to supply chain issues
The steps the Government is taking to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity to invest in new and existing homes will help providers to meet new regulatory standards. However, we are concerned that supply chain constraints, workforce shortages and the limited … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for a skilled supply chain and is working with the industry to provide training opportunities and build a diverse workforce, but provides no specific commitments.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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21 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – Housing Conditions in…
Set out timeframe for statutory New Homes Ombudsman and mandatory consumer code
In response to this report, the Government must set out the timeframe for creating a statutory, UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman and the details of the mandatory consumer code developers will need to abide by. (Recommendation, Paragraph 77) 49
Government Response
The government remains committed to implementing a statutory New Homes Ombudsman scheme, but provides no timeframe or details of the consumer code.
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