The 2010 Decent Homes Standard
I should imagine most Council and Housing Association tenants have heard of this government initiative to bring all homes up to standard by the year 2010.
In your own property this might include one or all of the following: double glazing, new kitchens, bathrooms, electrical rewires and heating systems.
[ad#Google 200×200 right]Some landlords choose to do the work in a property “all in one go” and some choose to do “one thing at a time”. Personally, having gone through the “one thing at a time” option, I’m not entirely sure whether I could have coped with them doing the re-wire, the double glazing and the central heating all in one go. But hey, you may as well get all the mess in one hit I suppose.
What I’m more interested in is how far has your landlord got in completing all the work?
My council, Birmingham City Council, I’m pleased to say is 96% finished. That’s nearly 69,000 properties brought up to standard. They will complete them all by March 2010.
So do you know where yours stands?
Are you a landlord that has completed already or a landlord that is struggling to complete?
As always we welcome your comments on this article.
Author: CCHE Deb
Hi am a Family Mosaic tennat who is in the same position as many of you. I was promised that my kitchen would be replaced by 2010 only to have a decent homes appointment and then get told there is nothing wrong with the (over 20 years old) kitchen. I have been with this association for over 20years, in my former property with them the kitchen was changed twice in 13years and this one which is a health and safety hazzard seems to meet the decent homes criteria. It has draws with no base, several doors falling off broken and missing tiles, a tap that spins 360 degrees and the list goes on. Any ideas please help I cant even entertain it’s so bad.
Hi Winnie,
With all landlords having to save money, it may be that Family Mosaic have decided not to carry on with kitchen & bathroom replacements. As long as windows, doors & heating has been done, RSL’s are not obliged to replace the rest.
You need to keep reporting the jobs as repairs. They have to fix them.
Are Warm Air Heaters classed as ‘decent’? We live in a 70’s built Birmingham City Council property. Myself and other residents are wondering why our heating system has not been updated yet. What is the point of PVCu windows and doors to insulate a property when there is no heat to begin with?! We have no heating source in the bathroom, downstairs toilet, hallway and landing areas and as you can imagine, in the winter it gets very very cold. Are the Council picking and choosing who gets central heating and who should be left with an inefficient heating system?
Yes warm air heating is classed as decent.
Its the government who decide what is decent and what is not up to standard. It could be another 10 to 20 yrs before it is classed as outdated.
If it is not working properly, then some landlords do consider removing it and installing CH. However, with the cuts that landlords have to now make – I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Some houses do not have any heating at all. Still.
You should be able to ask for a fan blower for your bathroom.
I was told a new heating system heat pump would be cheaper than my old gas by 300pounds per year i recieve no bennifits i struggle to pay 70pounds per week to run it the house is cold damp we cannot afford basic luxuries the stress of keeping my family warm has resulted in ill health, before i never used heating when house empty now it runs all day and night is still cold it is a waste.
i am with south beds council the house is 26 years old and has not had the bathroom or kitchen replaced,they are both in a reasonable condition given their age but we have been told they wont be renewed as they are in good condition and are not unsafe,we question this decision ,are we right to accept the decision or should the council be doing something about it.if we are right where do we go next as the council are adament that they are in the right? advice pls.
CHarrison – a combi bolier is the best. I’m not sure I understand your question, but if your Landlord is going to pay – then let them install it.
Lisa – if the bathroom and kitchens are in relatively good condition, your landlord is not obliged to replace them. By all means fight them but its highly unlikely you will win. With the economic climate as it now is and with all landlords having to save money, its going to be a common occurrance. Personally I’d wait for another 4 years then hit them again.
i am not sure if this is the correct place to ask a question, i am a tenant of town and country, have wooden windows throughout, they let in so much wind, the paint has fallen off inside where they are so wet with condensation, i have asthma, copd, a surveyer came out and said they only need repairing not replacing the windows have been in since the property was built approx 20 yrs ago +. there excuse is they would need to do all of the row not just ours and that is not going to happen immediatly, we was told that it would be put forward to be done in 2010 guess what nothing has happened, it is pointless having the heating on and not having it on is causing more condensation. they are that rotten you can put your thumb nail in the wood.
wendy – is a 2kw convector heater for a bedroom considered as decent heating ? I cant use it as it costs 38p an hour to run, a massive 9.28 a day, consequently the bedroom in my bungalow is freezing.
Sharon, If they are dragging their heels on bringing your home up to the 2010 decent Homes Standard, then put your complaints/concerns into writing to them.
What are the windows like on your neighbours properties? If you get together and complain, your landlord will do something more quickly.
Wendy Hughes, Yes a 2kw as adequate. When central heating is installed they usually put radiators in all rooms, but there are exceptions. If your property hasn’t yet been done, then having any heating at all in your bedroom is considered a bonus.
Sorry I can’t be more positive to either of you.
My kitchen and bathroom was updated in the early 1980’s. I have to say that the kitchen is in a reasonable state since it is around 30 years old. The same cannot be said for the bathroom, it is far from reasonable. The bath is the old enamel ones and is so badly stained, as is the toilet. I’ve been living here for 11 years asking them to change, I’ve gotten someone to agree to change the toilet, but still waiting to hear if they’ll do the bath, keep giving excuses. I also have pvc windows, but they are single glazed, theres a pane of glass missing. The windows are huge in every room and let out all the heat and cause severe condensation, which in turn causes damp and mould. Since the frames are pvc, they won’t do anything with them causing extremely high electriciity bills. They drilled some holes in the frames to let out the condensation, but that just lets in further cold air. Plus there is no windows or extractor in bathroom, so that causes damp also, so I have to bath with door open, it’s freezing. I also have economy 7 heating and the heater in bedroom was sparking one night two years ago, I switched it off, permanently. Another thing the BCC will not change. It’s a flat I’m in and the ceilings between us are paper thin, so you can hear everything from flats below and above, it’s ridiculous. Plus the lift is adjacent to my bedroom so I have to listen to that going up and down, it’s so noisy you can hear it from the lounge. Again I’ve endlessly made complaints as I can never get any sleep, which has been very detrimental to my mental and physical well being. I don’t believe this reaches the decent homes standard, yet they constantly tell me to contact BCC. I do so, but these conditions are clearly BCC’s standard as they never do anything about it.
I exchanged to a property and was mislead that my kitchen was under the decent homes standard program by both the tenant and HA. However I have spent 13 months battling with the HA and all I seem to get in reply albeit to complain or ask for a repair is ” you have done a mutual exchange” it’s a long story and I don’t want to bore you. However I had a third inspection done last week and I got a phone call today from repairs that they are coming on July 11th to change only the sink unit and mend the cupboard door. So my kitchen is going to be a complete mismatch. I wasn’t aware of problems when viewing, ie major leak under the sink, and unsteady cupboards, but was told by the HA I should have checked in the cupboards, something that I wouldn’t in my wildest dreams would have done out of politeness. I feel like I am being penalized forever more because it was an exchange.
I have no reasonable work space to work on. The wall was lose as a cupboard was attached to it and was very lose so for safety as I have a child and I am registered disabled, my husband had to remove part of the wall. When asked why didn’t I report it I told them I got fed up with being quoted “it was an exchange” and that we could incur costs to repair.
My boiler is also 30 years old and although passes the annual gas inspection, the last service enginner put on the form, “poor condition” The timer doesn’t work and due to my illness I need extra heat. I was told the part was obsolete, again I still don’t know where I stand. Can anyone please help. Would it be worth my while reporting this to the ombudsman?
Please see some images that I have posted.
Thank you in advance.
Ps sorry for the spelling mistakes 🙂
Here’s the link to my images:
http://decenthomes.webs.com/Kitchen.htm
Thanks again.
hi, is double glazing part of ‘decent homes initiative? i have recently accepted a property but it doesn’t have double glazing -what are my options?
thanks
Jason, I work with BCC as well as being a tenant.
first of all let me deal with your heating. Economy 7 is still a valid heating system endorsed by the government. As unbelievable as it sounds some tenants of BCC still have no heating at all. The next on the list to be deemed out of date by the government will be the blow air heating system – probably about 10 years … so I’m afraid you will have a long wait to get your Economy 7 changed. The sparking heater in the bedroom is down to repairs.
With regard to your bathrom, now that budgets have been cut BCC are only replacing bathrooms under the 2010 standard unless absolutely necessary. If you have it in writing that you are having a new toilet – great. If not, they may change their mind.
Now with regard to your windows. PVC windows are fine, but to comply with the 2010 Decent Standards they do have to be a certain thickness. Just Google Wates, ring them and ask them to attend to see if your windows comply.
Anything that you can get from your doctor regarding your health will be a bonus when dealing with the council.
For uptodate info go to http://www.birminghamcche.co.uk
I will let all residents know (what I legally can) things that are happening as soon as I can.
my first question is do i have grounds to get a transfere if my home is the main cause of depression and anxiety which i am on medication for. if i have provided a support letter from my doctor and another from my family support worker? secondly for some one else, the council moved the tank from off the wall, to the back of the toilet, leaving several big wholes where the old one was, shouldnt they have filled and smoothed it as they caused it? also tiles are falling off the wall, arent they responsible for removing hazardous tiling, then leaving a safe flat surface or retile?? it was in this condition when the current tenant moved in, i know because i was the previous tenant, and the tiles were there when i moved in! lastly if my son is in this bath and a tile falls on him causing injury… how much would i get if i claim compensation??? (that was just sarcasm! my sons well being is paramount so i dont want the council making excuses for why they will not remove the tiles and leave a safe, flat surface.if he got hurt i would be furious and take it to the papers and humiliate the council and reep justice! If all us esidents do not agree that these standards are decent, how do we fight the decision as an entity? eco 7 is terrible, for example, maybe the bbc would be interested in a documentary of home exchange, our homes for those of the people who solidify these standards, in the winter! im sure they would soon change their minds! its now 2011! the statement says MUST! so what do we do whwen even the standards quoted, are not met? can they just keep extending the date? i know you personally are just trying to help us all but surely we can set up a forum to seriously battle this? we should take advantage of democracy for once!
My house is owned by the council,they won’t replace the windows to even secondary glazing as the buildings in my area are listed.I have storage heaters that apart from costing a fortune to use(even on econ 7)run out of heat later in the day,and my house gets freezing.there is no heating in my bathroom whatsoever.and my kitchen looks like the units have been bought in a 1970s garage sale.can I request a survey to see how mutch they can do to bring the house up to standards?.
moved into home that has a kitchen not updated in the last 30 years was told it would qualify for a new bathroom now being told i can apply for a grant of which council will only cover 30 % ???? surely if the bathroom does not meet decent homes requirements the council should fund this 100% or am i wrong. we dont mind putting it in ourselves and doing tiling etc but thought our costs would be covered ????
Tahima,
Yes – double glazing is part of the Decent Homes Standard. however, if your home is a listed council property, I doubt whether they will get replaced.
Clare
Anybody can put in for a transfer. The points you are awarded is dependent on your need. Ask your landlord for a transfer form and a medical form. When these have been filled in, you can attach your Doctors letter or the medical team get in touch with your doctor. Get advice from your Housing Officer.
Clare.
The holes should have been filled in but if you exchanged properties it was your responsibility to have the repairs done before you exchanged. The new tenant will have signed for “as seen”. Quite often tiles are the tenants responsibility now. Read your agreement to see if that is so.
The Decent Homes Standard 2010 only requires homes to be weatherproof and warm. If it has heating already – it won’t be replaced until the government say that form of heating is defunct (blow-air, econ 7 etc).
I will be blogging on the replacement directive for the Decent Homes Standard shortly. Yes its defunct but not forgotten.
Nick1
Storage heaters are fine. Until the government say that form of heating is defunct, then I’m afraid you have to cope with it. They (along with your landlord) know fully well its not ideal – but it is heat and it is safe.
As for your windows, this is a difficult area that is complicated. I think you will have to continue to push for secondary glazing.
Sorry I can’t be more help.
Gina – take the grant if you can afford to.
With budgets being slashed only the very very worst will be replaced now.
The Decent Homes Standard for kitchens and bathrooms was only ever a recommendation if landlords could fund it. Obviously not many can now.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help.
To Everyone –
The Decent Homes Standard 2010 has now expired.
I will continue to answer questions here but will do another blog shortly on The Quality of Accommodation Standard, which is the governments replacement.
When I’ve written it, I will put the link to it below.
Thank you.
Here is the link for The Quality of Accommodation Standard blog – http://council-exchange.org.uk/community/showthread.php?t=2348
I live in a Housing Association property without double glazing. Are they, as my landlord, legally obliged to install double glazing in the property?
I’ be grateful for any information with regard to this matter.
Cheers in advance
Frank M
There is an obligation to fulfill the governments brief but you cannot take them to court over it if they don’t. It also depends on what type of window is currently installed.
As the above post states The 2010 Decent Homes Standard is no longer valid.
http://council-exchange.org.uk/community/showthread.php?t=2348
Please folks – The 2010 decent Homes Standard is no longer valid. Use the above link to find the replacement.
Thanks for that
Hi, we were recently offered a flat in very bad state of repair. This however didn’t put us off. What really did was the fact that there were several problems/issues/jobs in the flat that still needed doing. For instance kitchen units were still to be replaced, also bath to be replaced. Furthermore dump in one of the bedrooms treated. IS the local authority correct offering those properties for viewing then we – the potencai ltenants – are not given any firm deadlines and even guaranties that the jobs will be in fact done.
Yes they are entitled to offer it for viewing and for letting. Landlords are not obliged by law to replace bathrooms & kitchens under the OLD 2010 Decent Homes Standard. They can replace the very oldest if they have the money. They don’t have to give guarantees or deadlines.
Hi could u help? My dad and his partner have just been offered a over 40’s flat from sandwell council and they r doing all new fittings in there before my dad can move in I.e new kitchen, re-wiring, ripped out out all storage heaters however when my dad has gone to speak to workers in the flat and council themselves he has been told no heating is not bein put into the flat, is this legal for them to do this and is there anything my dad can do about it?? He rely likes the flat. But is not willing to take it if there is no heating and if he was to refuse it he will be waiting awhile agen to be offered another thank u
Hannah, There must be some form of heating whether that is just one gas fire, central heating, warm blow – air or storage radiators.
No good speaking to the workers – he must go to the council. A good idea to speak to the neighbours as well – to see what they have got.
Good luck.
we have had leaks in our bathroom ,and kitchen through an error of a waste pipe fitted ,the waste was flowing up hill so coming out ,and into the walls blowing electrics ,now we have this boiler the combi boilers ,well the h/a would not replace them ,heard about 1month ago that all homes with outdated heating systems are to be replaced this year with up to date and smaller boilers with water tank,just going to loose my shoe cupboard and cereal cupboard 🙁
Hi my daughter lives in a HA house, the kitchen is in a very bad state if disrepair , out if six houses in a row gets us the only one not to have had a new kitchen, she has a disabled son, we contacted environmental health who sent them a letter under section one of the housing act concerning the broken cupboards and work areas , we had a surveyor cone from the housing association surveyor come and all she said was that they would do repairs , you only have to touch the cupboard doors and bits of the chipboard fall away in her hands does she have any k
Legal rights to get a new kitchen put In
Carol Knox,
Unfortunately there are NO legal requirements that your daughters HA must replace her kitchen. Just because the rest of the houses have been done, unfortunately makes no difference. They are under no legal obligation.
They will just have to keep repairing it.
However, I suggest you complain in WRITING. Be clear and concise and list the exact problems. Only complain in writing and insist on a written reply.
Good luck.
hi im in a housing association property , for the last two years iv been writing letters as well as my social worker about the state of my windows , my main concern being my youngest child has autism and has no sense of danger , he climbs in the window sills and bangs on the windows the glass is so thin its only a matter of time that the glass is going to smash or even worse hes going to fall through it . nobody has had the decency to write back every time i ring somebody passes the book !! just after some information where to turn next ??? any advise would be gratefully appreciated
Carol Knox,
The H/a will eventually replace it like they did with our old boiler ,we just kept calling the repairs side till they got fed up now i have a new boiler ,but lost a store cupboard ,just keep calling them out ..I think replacements are every so many years just a case of waiting unless you can prove un safe
Emma
you could try the citizen advice see if they can give you any information ,H/a can work differently to council ,but I back then i got a health visitors letter and got in touch with social services who put pressure on the council..you could try that ,also consultants letter ,weather your consultant or social services would write to them
good luck
My housing association home has very old (20 + years) electrical heaters in both bedrooms. Ours broke the other night,flipped the trip switch and covered our bedroom in toxic smoke. Our son isn’t even 2 years old yet, he has the same radiator in his room which is known to work sometimes,sometimes not. Ive been told that they can replace ours but not his as it isnt ‘broken’? What are my rights?
Obviously im very concerned that the same will happen to his while hes in there but also I dont want to turn it on again untill the matter is resolved, its winter and very cold!
Hi my kitchen is 20years old my draws are falling off I have cuboards doors that ave broken off. The kitchen sink cuboard is totaly rotten Its a manky kitchen last year my my 2yr old was realy badly hurt by a kitchen draw falling off and knocking her out she had to have a stay in hospital I’m with hyde marlet housein association should they update my kitchen as it not safe also my back door is a wooden back door in my my liveing room when it rains I have a massive flood cum through the door I had wood flooring down which the rain water rotted it I’ve had to replace 6 carpets threw water damage. And I can’t keep afforrding to this do they have to come and proved me with a door that does not leak
Hi my family is with harlow district council essex and they haven’t replaced a single thing. we have single glaze windows a flat roof no new anything. our heating bill a month is nearly £100
the H/a we are under have just fitted up to fate heating systems ,new kitchens went in last summer ,bathrooms were up graded ,so there pretty much up to date our landlords S.O.H..A
Tamsin – if it isn’t completely broken they are under no obligation to repair it. The best thing you can hope for is that it does completely break.
Beverley – I hope you have kept all of your receipts, because you might be able to claim from them. The Law says that homes must be windproof and waterproof with secure doors. Write a letter. deliver it by hand and ask for a receipt for the letter. Simply ask when your doors are going to be replaced under the Decent Homes Standard 2010. They are under no obligation in the same legislation to provide you with a new kitchen. Some landlords are and some aren’t – with a lot depending on how much money/capital they have left.
Andrew – LOL ….. my energy bill is £120 a month & I have double glazing etc. You need to find out in writing when your HA is going to comply with the Decent Homes Standard.
Andrew – Here you are – you should be done by 2015. In January 2013, the Cabinet approved the revised Housing Revenue
Account (HRA) Business Plan (2012-42). The plan has allocated resources focusing on works to kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors to deliver the Decent Homes Standard by 2015.
Hi i have a house with london and quardrent and have the wooden single windows. This is very drafty and cold. i have complained many times as one door lets in the rain depending the way the wind blows. they say there is nothing they can do. when parts of the frame has woodworm they cut it out replace it and paint them to try and make it look better. i am the only house with this windows , area is mostly privart bug all the other l&q homes have some sort of double glazing. can you help with who i can write to please?
My home still has no double glazing,no loft insulation,council took measurement for front door in jan 2013 it’s April 2013
Hi was just woumdering I have wooden back doors and they let so much cold in also they are single glass, is this something that should be changed as they gave me new double glaized windows 10years back but left the doors like how they are? Just want to know if they have to change then due to the wood, the single glass and breeze? Thanks
Do the ha need to replace my back doors as let breeze through and are wooden with single glass.they reolaced all windows with dounle glazing and pvc nut left the doors a few years back, do you know weather they can make me keep them or will they have to change them?