Welsh Housing Quality Standards 2023

Introducing the new Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS 2023) – What it means for you! 

Some of you may have heard about the new WHQS 2023 updated by Welsh Government (WG) in Oct 2023, but what does this mean to you and how are we going to deliver it?

Here are some frequently asked questions about WHQS, which we hope will help.

1. What is WHQS 2023?
   In October 2023, the WG introduced a new set of standards for social housing in Wales. It focusses on providing tenants with affordable housing of good quality, suitable for the needs of existing and future residents.

2. What are the main things included in the new standards?
   For us to meet the WG standards, your homes must:

• Be in good condition:
  • ​Walls must be in a good condition and not be weak or falling.
  • There should not be damp in your home.
  • Staircases should be safe.
• Be safe and secure:
  • ​Doors and windows should safe and secure. We will follow the Secured By Design guide from the Police about how we can do this.
  • Fire safety – homes must have heat and smoke detectors.
  • You must have a safe and easy way to escape if there is a fire.
  • Gas and heating safety – homes must have a carbon monoxide detector.
  • Home safety checks – if homes have gas, oil or solid fuel, we must do a safety check once a year. We must give you a copy of the safety checks.
  • Electrical safety – your home should have an electrical safety check every 5 years, and we will give you a copy.
• Not cost too much to heat. And not be bad for the environment:
  • ​We must make sure that heating your home does not cost too much money. And that it isn’t bad for the environment.
  • Your home must let air flow through it, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Homes should have fittings and appliances that stop water being wasted. This can help you keep your water bills down and is good for the environment.
• Have an up-to-date kitchen and utility area:
  • ​Kitchens should be less than 16 years old, unless they are in good condition.
  • New kitchens should have space for a cooker, fridge and washing machine, and other appliances if needed.
  • Kitchen floors must be non-slip.
  • If there is nowhere to wash, dry and air clothes, we should provide a tumble dryer.
• Have an up-to-date bathroom:
  • ​Bathroom and toilets should be less than 26 years old, unless they are in good condition.
  • Bathrooms must have a non-slip floor.
  • They should have a shower, and a bath is possible. A shower can be over the bath.
• Comfortable and suit the person living there:
  • ​Your home should have enough space to live in comfortably.
  • Flooring – When new tenants move in, all rooms must have the right type of flooring and be in good condition.
  • Noise – Walls and windows should be good quality, so norma noise doesn’t bother you.
  • We need to make sure a home suits your needs, including disabled and older tenants.
• Have a garden if possible:
  • ​It isn’t always possible to have a garden, as it depends where you live.
  • You should be able to get to your garden safely and easily.
  • There should be a path for you to walk around.
  • If possible, we should put up a clothes drying line, and there should be a path to it for you.
  • You should have a lockable storage space outside. E.g. to store a bike or garden equipment.
• Have a nice outside space if possible:
  • ​We need to try and create a nice outside space, that is easy to look after.
  • Spaces should be wildlife friendly.
  • There should be plenty of plants and trees that also let sunlight through.
  • If you don’t have your own garden, we should provide enough storage outside space for bikes, pushchairs or mobility scooters for you.

3. What are the timescales?
   These are the main deadlines that we will be working towards:

• 31 March 2025:
  • Assess the condition of your homes so we know what we need to do. To do this we will look at the information we have about your homes. We may need to visit some of your homes but will let you know if we do.
  • Create a plan and work out how much it will cost to get homes up to the standards. We must give this to WG.
  • Engage with you and show what we’re going to be doing so you can have your say. We will be working closely on this with our Denbighshire Tenant and Residents Federation (DTARF).
  • Update our business plan to include any improvements and works we need to do  to comply with the WHQS 2023 standards.
• 31 March 2027:
  • Produce our Target Energy Pathways (TEP) using the information we have got from you home assessments. A TEP shows us what we need to do to make sure your home has a heating system that you can afford to turn on.    
• 31 March 2034:
  • We must meet these standards.

4. What have you done so far?
   So far, we have been working through the WHQS 2023 standards and putting together a plan of action that we can share with you by March 2025. In July, we updated Denbighshire Tenant and Residents Federation (DTARF) on our progress and what we planned next.
   
   To help inform this, we have also listened to your responses in the recent STAR 2023 survey and are using this information to understand how you’d like the WHQS 2023 shaped so far. Over the next few months, and throughout the whole WHQS 2023 programme, we will have opportunities for you to engage with us and let us know what’s important to you, your priorities on how we deliver this programme for you.
    
5. How will this be paid for?
   The improvements we need to achieve the new standards will be funded by a percentage of the WG Major Repairs Allowance, other grant funding and tenants’ rents.
    
6. How can I get involved?
   An important part of these new standards is your involvement and engagement in the process. We will be working closely on this with DTARF and hope to set up a task and finish group with tenants in the future.
   
   If you’d like be part of DTARF, or part of a task and finish group of tenants, and support us implementing the WHQS, then please get in touch on 01824 706000 or email housing@denbighshire.gov.uk.
    
7. Where can I to find out more information?
   For more information about what these include, please visit https://www.gov.wales/welsh-housing-quality-standard-2023-0