Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the Social Rented Sector
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
HC 1154
Published 9 February 2026
Recommendations
3
Accepted
Publish Long-term Housing Strategy for improving social homes and regenerating existing stock.
Recommendation
The Long-term Housing Strategy must put in place a long-term approach for improving and maintaining social homes and addressing the systemic drivers of poor housing quality, especially a long-term approach to the regeneration of existing social homes. We reiterate our …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government published a five-step plan including a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, £2.5 billion in low-interest loans, and an extension of the 'preferential' borrowing rate.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View Details →
17
Accepted
Publish an assessment of new regulatory requirements' cumulative impact on social home supply
Recommendation
The Government must publish an assessment of the cumulative impact the new regulatory requirements are likely to have on the supply of social homes over the next decade. This assessment should consider how the cumulative costs of the new regulatory …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government claims the Decent Homes Standard Final Impact Assessment and social housing MEES Impact Assessment already set out potential impacts on the supply of new social housing.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View Details →
19
Accepted
Establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme to raise social housing standards
Recommendation
There is a strong case for the Government to establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme that supports social landlords to raise the standard of social homes. This programme should consist of: a. a single housing quality framework or strategy …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Regulator of Social Housing has introduced a new consumer regulation regime, details its commitment to grant funding, and highlights its work with the industry to provide high-quality training opportunities.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View Details →
Conclusions (5)
2
Conclusion
Accepted
We support the Government’s plans to raise the standard of social homes over the next decade, while boosting supply. These actions will go some way to improving the quality and safety of social homes. However, the Government’s plans do not address some of the long-term systemic drivers of poor conditions, …
Government Response Summary
The government states that Phase 1 of Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, and they are working closely with stakeholders on next steps for phases 2 and 3.
11
Conclusion
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s changes to the Decent Homes Standard. The current standard has been out-of-date for some time and is in urgent need of reform, given that it was last updated in 2006. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
Government Response Summary
The government responded to its consultation on an updated and modernised Decent Homes Standard and aims to drive down rates of non-decency across the country and support landlords.
15
Conclusion
Accepted
While we welcome the steps the Government has taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity, a lot of the extra rental income social landlords receive could be absorbed by the new compliance costs placed on them, thereby limiting their ability to invest in new social homes. Even with the Government’s …
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing programmes and investments aimed at improving the safety, quality, and supply of social housing, including rent policy, building safety funding, low-interest loans, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
16
Conclusion
Accepted
There is a real risk that the costs of new regulatory requirements may lead to an increase in social landlords choosing to sell homes that have reached, or are approaching, the end of their intended lifespan, at a time when social housing is desperately needed. We welcome the changes to …
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing programmes and investments aimed at improving the safety, quality, and supply of social housing, including rent policy, building safety funding, low-interest loans, and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
20
Conclusion
Accepted
It is vital that there are robust measures of redress in place to resolve disputes about the quality of newly built social homes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
Government Response Summary
The government states it remains committed to implementing a statutory New Homes Ombudsman scheme and that social housing tenants can already access support from the Housing Ombudsman.