Supporting Compliance, Reporting and Asset Management
Housing Quality Standards provide the framework by which governments measure the condition, safety and suitability of social housing. For registered providers, councils and housing associations, compliance with the relevant national housing quality standard is a core regulatory requirement and a key driver of investment planning, asset management and performance reporting.
We provide expert advice, assessment and reporting support against the Decent Homes Standard (England), the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) and the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), helping organisations demonstrate compliance with confidence and consistency.
Why Housing Quality Standards Matter
Housing quality standards define what is considered an acceptable home in the social housing sector. They influence how stock condition data is collected, how investment priorities are set, and how performance is reported to government bodies and regulators.
Failure to meet the relevant standard can result in increased scrutiny, regulatory intervention, funding risk and reputational damage. Robust assessment and reporting are therefore essential to effective governance and long-term asset sustainability.
The Decent Homes Standard (England)
Background
The Decent Homes Standard was introduced by the UK Government to ensure that all social housing in England meets a minimum acceptable standard of condition and safety. It remains a cornerstone of social housing regulation and is currently evolving through the proposed Decent Homes Standard 2, which places greater emphasis on safety, quality and resident experience.
What the Decent Homes Standard Measures
A home is considered “decent” if it:
- Meets the statutory minimum standard for housing
- Is in a reasonable state of repair
- Has reasonably modern facilities and services
- Provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort
Assessments are driven by stock condition data, component lifecycles, energy efficiency information and health and safety indicators.
Reporting Implications
Registered providers must use Decent Homes data to support reporting to the Regulator of Social Housing, underpin asset management strategies and inform business planning. Accurate, auditable data is critical to demonstrating compliance and value for money.
The Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS)
Background
The Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) was introduced by the Scottish Government to raise the overall quality of social housing and improve outcomes for tenants. While the SHQS has been succeeded by the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and evolving net zero standards, it remains a foundational reference point for housing condition and quality.
What the SHQS Measures
The SHQS assesses whether homes:
- Meet the tolerable standard
- Are free from serious disrepair
- Have modern facilities and services
- Provide adequate insulation, heating and energy efficiency
The standard places a strong emphasis on energy performance and sustainability, reflecting Scotland’s wider climate and fuel poverty objectives.
Reporting Implications
Social landlords must report compliance through Scottish Government data returns, using validated stock condition and energy data. SHQS and EESSH performance directly influence investment planning, retrofit programmes and government engagement.
The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)
Background
The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) was introduced by the Welsh Government to ensure all social housing in Wales meets a high standard of condition, safety and comfort. Unlike other standards, WHQS is deliberately comprehensive and places a strong focus on whole-home quality.
What the WHQS Measures
WHQS considers:
- The physical condition of homes
- Building safety and compliance
- Modern kitchens, bathrooms and services
- Thermal comfort and energy efficiency
- The quality of the internal and external environment
The standard is closely linked to long-term improvement programmes rather than minimum compliance alone.
Reporting Implications
Welsh social landlords are required to report progress and compliance to the Welsh Government, often through annual returns and programme updates. WHQS compliance shapes capital investment strategies and is subject to ongoing government scrutiny.
Our Housing Quality Standards Services
We support social landlords by:
- Assessing housing stock against the relevant national standard
- Validating existing stock condition and quality data
- Identifying non-compliance and investment drivers
- Supporting consistent application of standard definitions
- Aligning housing quality data with asset management systems
- Preparing reporting outputs suitable for government returns
Our approach ensures clarity, consistency and auditability across all standards.
Supporting Governance, Investment and Regulation
Housing quality standards sit at the heart of asset management and regulatory compliance. We help organisations understand not just whether homes meet the standard, but why they do or do not, and what that means for long-term investment, risk management and reporting obligations.
Our advice supports confident engagement with regulators, governments, boards and tenants.
Why Choose Us?
We have extensive experience working with councils and registered providers across England, Scotland and Wales. Our team understands the technical detail behind each housing quality standard and how it translates into practical asset management and reporting requirements. We provide clear, independent advice that stands up to scrutiny and supports long-term compliance.