NHF backs pilot approach to requirements for floor coverings in new tenancies

But in an overview of how the NHF was planning to respond to the DHS, Annie Owens, policy leader for the quality of existing homes at the organisation, told the Housing Community Summit that “significant concerns” had been raised about the cost of the new floor-covering requirement.

The housing associations’ trade body believes the government is underestimating how much the move would cost.

She said the NHF could not agree with the new requirement without a “firm commitment” from the government for extra funding to support the roll-out, despite understanding the importance of good-quality floor covering to residents.

Instead, the NHF was proposing that the sector and the government work together to find a more practical approach.

She told delegates: “We’re suggesting a pilot... between the government, social landlords and us as a trade body and other sector bodies, to understand... what the impact of this could be in the sector: to work out some practical alternatives that would [deliver] greater provision of floor coverings, particularly for residents in most financial need.”

The trial would also work out how to balance this with what social landlords could achieve financially, and give residents who can afford floor coverings the choice of decorating their own homes, she added.

Haider Al-Qaddo, team leader for the Decent Homes Standard review policy at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, who was also on the panel, responded by stressing that the government was exploring the move and seeking more evidence, including on the potential cost to the sector.

Mr Al-Qaddo added that most landlords had recognised that floor coverings were a “really basic requirement”. He also pointed out that the Welsh government rolled out the requirement last year.

Last year, Inside Housing explored the case for floor coverings to be included in new social housing lets, as research by campaign group End Furniture Poverty found that 760,000 social housing tenants were living without floor coverings in their homes.

The DHS consultation closes on Wednesday 10 September, with the new standard expected to come into force in 2035-37. Under government plans, three of the four criteria will be updated and a new one requiring landlords to keep homes free from damp and mould will be added.