The New Decent Homes Standard makes kitchens and bathrooms key components. See what fails a home, what to renew first, and how London landlords can plan.
The New Decent Homes Standard changes how London landlords must think about kitchens and bathrooms. Under the old standard, a kitchen or bathroom failed mainly on age. Under the new one, condition decides.
Both rooms are now key building components. If either is in disrepair, the whole home fails. This guide explains what that means, what else the standard asks of these rooms, and how to plan your renewals.
What the New Decent Homes Standard Changes
The government confirmed the new standard in January 2026. It has five criteria covering dangerous hazards, state of repair, core facilities, thermal comfort, and damp and mould. Kitchens and bathrooms touch almost all of them.
Kitchens and bathrooms are now key components
Criterion B says a home fails if one key component is not in a reasonable state of repair. Kitchens and bathrooms now sit on that key list, next to roofs, wall structures, heating systems and electrical systems.
So a failing kitchen can make an otherwise sound home non-decent. That raises the stakes for every property in your portfolio.
What disrepair means in practice
The policy statement defines disrepair by condition, not age. A kitchen fails if it needs major repair, or if more than one of these items needs replacing: the cold water drinking supply, hot water, sink, cooking provision, and cupboards and worktop. Every component must also be usable.
A bathroom fails on the same basis. It needs major repair, or more than one of the bath or shower, wash hand basin and WC needs replacing.
This favours landlords who inspect and record condition. A fifteen year old kitchen in good order can pass. A ten year old one with a failed worktop and a leaking sink may not.
Layout and Location Now Matter Too
Criterion C adds a second test. A home must provide core facilities. Flats must offer at least three of four listed items. Houses must offer at least two of three.
Two items on that list are a kitchen with adequate space and layout, and an appropriately located bathroom and WC.
A kitchen fails on space if it is too small for a sink, cupboards, cooker space and worktops appropriate to the home’s size. A bathroom fails on location if it sits in a bedroom or is reached through one, unless the home suits a single person. An external WC also fails, as does a main WC on a different floor from the nearest basin.
Many older London flats and conversions have awkward layouts. Your stock condition data should flag them now, because a layout fix is a bigger job than a like-for-like swap.
Damp, Mould and Ventilation
Criterion E says homes should be free of damp and mould. A home fails if a damp and mould hazard scores anywhere from band A to H on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
Kitchens and bathrooms generate most of the moisture in a home. So they matter here. The standard also adds mechanical ventilation to the key components list. A home fails if a ventilation unit is insecurely fixed or does not work when switched on.
This links directly to Awaab’s Law, where Phase 2 begins on 30 November 2026. Criterion E asks you to prevent damp before it escalates. Extractor fans, ducting and proper tanking in bathrooms are cheap compared with a hazard case.
Thermal Comfort and the Wider Programme
Criterion D covers thermal comfort and the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard. Social landlords must reach EPC C against one metric by 1 April 2030, and a second metric by 2039.
Kitchen and bathroom work is not the main driver there. Still, a renewal puts contractors inside the home with walls and floors open. Landlords who combine ventilation, heating and electrical improvements with a K&B visit save on access, mobilisation and resident disruption.
The Timeline: 2035, but Do Not Wait
The Regulator of Social Housing will regulate the new standard from 1 April 2035. Until then, the current standard applies.
The government has told landlords not to delay all action until the deadline. Existing duties on repair and fitness for habitation continue to apply. The regulator already expects an accurate, up to date understanding of stock condition.
The scale matters too. Government modelling of the consultation version suggested non-decent social homes could rise from 12% to 40%. London stock is older and denser than most, so many landlords will see big jumps.
How London Landlords Should Plan K&B Renewals
Update your stock condition data
Check whether your survey records condition for each kitchen and bathroom component, not only installation dates. You need to know which items are failing, not just which rooms are old.
Set condition based triggers
Write a renewal rule that mirrors the standard. For instance, flag any kitchen with two failed key items, or any bathroom with a failed WC and basin. Review it whenever the final guidance arrives later this year.
Bundle the works
Combine kitchen, bathroom, ventilation and electrical work in one visit where you can. Pair it with void works too. A void is the cheapest moment to renew a failing kitchen, with no resident to decant.
Plan for access and exemptions
The government expects guidance on cases where landlords cannot comply. Examples include tenants refusing access, planning or physical barriers, and properties earmarked for sale or demolition. Landlords will report those exemptions to the regulator. Keep clear records of every refused visit and every constraint.
How Precise Enterprise Helps
Precise Enterprise delivers planned maintenance and K&B renewals for housing associations and local authorities across London. We work in programmes, so we can sequence renewals by condition, block or estate.
Our service includes:
- Kitchen and bathroom renewals for occupied homes and voids
- Ventilation, electrical and plastering works alongside each renewal
- Accessible bathroom and wet room installations
- Resident liaison and clear reporting against your KPIs
Our teams work with your stock data and give you a record for every property.
Start Planning Now
The New Decent Homes Standard will not bite until 2035. Landlords who start now can spread cost, protect residents and avoid a late scramble.
Contact Precise Enterprise to discuss a K&B renewal programme built around the new standard. We cover all London boroughs.