1 in 7 homes in England are substandard

Your home should be a place where you feel safe, healthy and comfortable.

But new government figures show that one in seven - 3.5m - occupied homes in England are officially classed as ‘non-decent’. 

That means they fail to meet minimum standards for 

• health and safety
• maintenance and repair
• facilities like bathrooms, heating and insulation
• energy efficiency

The most common problems in England’s homes include:

• poor-quality windows: 1.8m homes
• noise problems: 1.6m homes
• bathroom issues: 1.3m homes
• external doors in poor condition: 1.1m homes 

Who lives in these homes?

Poor-quality housing affects many people across the country.

However, the data shows that some groups are being hit particularly hard, including:

• 1 million vulnerable households on benefits or with disabilities
• 1.7 million children, including over 600,000 living in relative poverty
• 1.5 million people aged 65 or above
• nearly a quarter of households waiting for social housing

What you can do

Living in a substandard home can affect your health, your finances and your quality of life.

But there are some practical steps you can take to address these issues.

Know your rights

If you live in private rented accommodation, tell your landlord about any defects or problems in the property.

They’re legally responsible for making sure the homes they rent out meet minimum health and safety standards.

If you live in social housing, councils and housing associations must keep properties in decent condition. 

And if they don’t, you can make a formal complaint or take your case to the housing ombudsman.

Don’t ignore warning signs

It’s worth recognising the signs of poor housing so you can act on issues as quickly as you can.

Look out for:

• persistent damp or mould
• broken windows, doors or roofing
• unsafe gas appliance or electrics
• low temperatures in your home, especially if you’re paying a lot for heating 

Prioritise energy efficiency when house-hunting

If you’re currently looking to move, look at the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before making any decisions.

A poor EPC rating usually means higher heating costs, so limiting your search to more efficient homes could save you money in the long run.

Keep a record of any problems

If you’re reporting issues like damp, broken heating, or unsafe electrics, then:

• take dated photos or videos so you have evidence
• keep copies of any correspondence with your landlord or letting agent

These could be vital if you need to escalate the issue later on.