Around 1.5 million children living in ‘non-decent’ homes, figures show

A total of 790,000 dependent children are living in a home with damp, the figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government found.

Overall, 3.5 million households were living in homes that did not meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2022-23.

This was the same figure as the previous English Housing Survey. However, that edition did not break out a specific figure on the number of children living in non-decent homes.

Private renters were more likely to live in a poor-quality home, with 21% living in a property that did not meet the Decent Homes Standard, the latest survey found. Among council tenants, 11% live in a non-decent home and 10% of housing association tenants do so.

The figures came as the new government this week committed to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector.

The plans, announced in the King’s Speech as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill, will mean private landlords, as well as social housing providers, will have to fix hazards – such as damp and mould – within strict timeframes.

Awaab’s Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died of exposure to mould in his family’s home, owned by housing association Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Mr Pennycook said: “These findings are utterly shocking, with one million children across the country living in dangerous, damp or hazardous homes.

“This is why we are taking decisive action to raise standards and protect tenants from exploitation.”

Currently, the Decent Homes Standard officially applies only to the social housing sector. The standard, which has not been updated since 2006, was the subject of several reviews under the previous government, with plans to extend it to the private sector.