With the Regulator of Social Housing placing greater emphasis on stock condition, data quality and landlord assurance, providers need to be confident that they can evidence compliance at both property and organisational level. This course helps delegates move beyond simply understanding the standard, focusing on the practical systems, processes and decisions needed to maintain decent homes now and prepare for future requirements.

What will delegates learn?

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and requirements of the current Decent Homes Standard
• Identify how DHS links to HHSRS, Section 11 Landlord and Tenant Act , the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and the Regulator for Social Housing Consumer Standards, particularly the Safety and Quality Standard
• Recognise the main reasons homes fall below the Decent Homes Standard
• Review how stock condition surveys, data and inspection programmes support compliance
• Assess the role of lettable standards and void processes in maintaining decent homes
• Strengthen internal assurance around repairs, component replacement and asset investment planning
• Prepare for the proposed new Decent Homes Standard and the journey towards 2035 compliance.

This course will cover:

• The history and purpose of the Decent Homes Standard
• The four key areas of the current standard: statutory minimum standard, reasonable repair, modern facilities and thermal comfort
• Category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• How DHS connects with wider landlord obligations and regulatory expectations
• The Safety and Quality Standard and the Regulator of Social Housing’s focus on stock condition, data and compliance
• Lessons from recent regulatory judgements linked to poor stock condition data, fire safety, electrical safety and assurance
• The importance of accurate stock condition data and rolling survey programmes
• Using asset management strategies and investment plans to maintain decency
• Lettable standards, void inspections and ensuring homes are compliant at the point of letting
• Common causes of DHS failure and how organisations can identify properties at risk
• Key proposals within the new Decent Homes Standard, including damp and mould, thermal comfort, window restrictors and the removal of age as a standalone repair factor
• Practical exercises to review current approaches, identify gaps and agree next steps.

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for housing professionals involved in maintaining, managing, inspecting or evidencing the quality of social housing stock, including:

• Asset management teams
• Property services teams
• Repairs and maintenance managers
• Compliance and building safety teams
• Stock condition and surveying teams
• Voids and lettings teams
• Housing managers and neighbourhood teams
• Governance, assurance and performance colleagues
• Senior managers responsible for consumer standards, stock quality or regulatory compliance.