The Regs: Decent Homes changes will make architects’ lives harder
Proposals to amend the Decent Homes Standard may make life easier for surveyors, but they raise thorny issues, warns Geoff Wilkinson.
The government’s long-overdue consultation on the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) finally closed last month. Most headlines rightly focused on the ventilation requirements linked to Awaab’s Law, introduced after the tragic death of Awaab Ishak from mould in his home in 2020.
Yet, tucked beneath that headline issue, are proposals for reforms that will be of real consequence to architects, especially those working across the social and rented sectors.
The Decent Homes Standard is the principal benchmark for determining whether a property in England is fit for habitation.
Awaab’s Law, introduced after the tragic death of Awaab Ishak from mould in his home in 2020.
Author summary: Changes to Decent Homes Standard affect architects.