State of the South West 2008

Housing Conditions

6.46 Housing conditions are monitored every five years by the English House Condition Survey (EHCS), which classifies a ' decent home' as one that satisfies all of the following four criteria:

• it meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing. At present this is the fitness standard
• it is in a reasonable state of repair
• it has reasonably modern facilities and services
• it provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.

6.47 The latest survey results (EHCS 2003 Regional Results) ⁹ suggest that housing conditions in the South West were broadly similar to the England average in 2003. The proportion of both private sector and social housing dwellings that did not meet the 'decent home' standard in the South West was 33.6% and 38.4 % respectively. The difference between the South West and England results (30.3% and 35.4% respectively for private and social housing), however, were not statistically significant. The EHCS also indicated that households in the South West are significantly less likely to have poor quality environments, particularly those with upkeep problems, compared with the national average.