Decent Homes Standard

In September 2025, the government consulted on reforming the Decent Homes Standard, including the introduction of a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for the social rented sector.  

The NHF submitted responses to both consultations based on feedback from our members and engagement with wider sector stakeholders.  

Decent Homes Standard 

We welcomed the review of the Decent Homes Standard and its increased focus on the condition of homes. 

We support most of the proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard in principle, but emphasise that they must be implemented in a way which sets reasonable expectations for housing associations and allows them adequate time to prepare.

The proposed new requirements will come with significant additional costs for housing associations. For the new Decent Homes Standard to be achievable, particularly alongside the development of new social homes, we urge the government to provide additional funding for social landlords to invest in the quality of existing homes. 

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard 

Housing associations remain committed to the decarbonisation of their homes. However, some elements of the government's proposals would represent a significant shift from current retrofit and decarbonisation plans. Given limitations in the supply chain and the financial constraints of the social housing sector, we have particular concerns about the feasibility of any requirement to install heat pumps or solar panels at scale before 2030. 

As such, we propose an alternative approach in our consultation response. We argue that the government should align with previous messaging and introduce a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard on the basis of bringing homes up to EPC C by 2030 against the current EER C standard. Alongside this, the government should continue with the planned reform of EPCs and publish these alongside a long-term strategy for decarbonisation of social housing. 

It is imperative that government funding provided through the Warm Homes Plan is sufficient to enable housing associations to meet the requirements Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard. We have called on the government to confirm an additional £3.7bn in funding for social landlords by 2030.  

NHF members can log in to download our full responses.