DfC launches consultation on review of the Decent Homes Standard

The Department for Communities (DfC) has launched a review of the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for social housing in Northern Ireland. The DHS sets the minimum quality standard that all social homes, including those managed by the NI Housing Executive and housing associations, must meet.

The current standard was introduced in 2004 and has not been updated since. DfC states that the DHS now requires revision for several reasons: housing standards elsewhere in the UK have advanced; the existing DHS has not kept pace with modern building requirements; and, in light of statutory net-zero targets, improving energy efficiency in homes is essential.

The Department has launched a public consultation on proposed plans to update the DHS. The consultation closes for responses on 4 March 2026.

Proposed updates
The proposals to update the DHS include:

• Expanding the standard to consider more aspects of a home, including external and communal areas, well-being-related features and a broader range of components used to assess property quality.
• Establishing baseline timescales for assessing and completing repairs to ensure issues, particularly safety-related concerns, are addressed promptly.
• Introducing additional requirements to emphasise tenant safety, accessibility, secure entry systems and features that support a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
• Updating current requirements for areas including noise insulation, building condition and energy efficiency to align with modern standards.

Reviewing the “pillars” of DHS
The current DHS is underpinned by four “pillars”. In order to meet the DHS in Northern Ireland, a dwelling must:

• A – meet the current statutory minimum fitness standard for housing – the fitness standard is set out in Article 46 of the Housing (NI) Order 1981
• B – be in a reasonable state of repair
• C – have reasonably modern facilities and services
• D – provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

The consultation is also consulting on the inclusion of an additional pillar:

• E – be safe, secure, sustainable and promote wellbeing

Have your say

More information on the consultation can be accessed here.

RSUA is considering a response to this consultation. To share your views, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk