Welsh Housing Quality Standard Introduction

In July 2001 the Welsh Assembly Government published the National Housing Strategy for Wales called Better Homes for People in Wales. This set out long-term vision for housing in Wales. To help achieve the aim of everyone in Wales having the opportunity to live in a good quality home, the Assembly Government published the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. It expected all social landlords in Wales to adopt the Standard and to develop realistic programmes for achieving it by the end of 2020.

The Standard contains detailed instructions advising social landlords on what they should do to improve the physical condition of their properties. The Standard also aims to bring wider benefits by integrating social, environmental and economic concerns. Separate guidance and versions of the Standard have been issued to Registered Social Landlords and local authorities.

Whilst it was the original intention to extend this to all housing in Wales, the Standard is not being implemented in the private sector and does not have any implications for Private Sector Landlords.