The government has confirmed that floor coverings will not be made a compulsory requirement under the updated Decent Homes Standard, mainly due to concerns over the cost of upgrading existing housing.
A large number of social homes are still rented out without carpets or other proper flooring. Research from End Furniture Poverty shows that more than 1.2 million people across the UK are living without floor coverings, and around two-thirds of those affected are tenants in social housing.
For private landlords, the law does not specifically require them to provide carpets in every room. However, under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, they must ensure floors are safe and suitable. This can include secure wooden flooring or lino, as long as it does not pose a risk to tenants.
Balancing quality with cost
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook explained that the decision was made after reviewing evidence and weighing up the financial impact of introducing new rules. He said the government had to strike a balance between improving the quality of existing homes and funding the construction of more social and affordable housing.
He added that making floor coverings mandatory would significantly increase the overall cost of delivering the new Decent Homes Standard. Instead, the priority is to boost housing supply and help move people, including vulnerable families and children, out of temporary or unsuitable accommodation.
Best practice guidance for social landlords
Although floor coverings will not be compulsory, the government recognises their importance for safety and wellbeing. Mr Pennycook noted that the lack of proper flooring can affect accessibility and living conditions, especially for households with young children, older residents and disabled tenants.
To address this, the government plans to issue stronger best practice guidance encouraging social housing landlords to keep good-quality floor coverings in place between tenancies wherever possible.
In addition, a new working group and pilot scheme will be launched with housing providers. This will explore affordable ways to help tenants most in need gain access to essential items such as flooring and basic furnishings.
Decent Homes Standard still moving forward
The government has confirmed that all private and social rented homes must meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2035. While floor coverings will not be included as a mandatory feature, landlords will still be required to meet key conditions.
These include keeping homes in a reasonable state of repair and ensuring they provide core facilities such as:
- A kitchen with adequate space and layout
- A properly located bathroom and WC
- Sufficient protection from external noise
Overall, the approach aims to improve housing quality without placing unsustainable financial pressure on landlords and housing providers. While campaigners may be disappointed that floor coverings are not compulsory, the government believes the combination of guidance, pilots and long-term investment will still lead to safer and more decent homes across the UK.
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