Private rented stock quality continues to improve

Posted: 01 Feb 2007 10:57:43 GMT

Increased competition in the private rented sector has continued to drive up the quality of housing stock, the English House Condition Survey has found

Increased competition in the private rented sector has continued to drive up the quality of housing stock, the English House Condition Survey has found.

The number of privately rented homes rated as 'non-decent' fell from 62 per cent in 2001 to 51 per cent in 2003, 48 per cent in 2003 and down to 43 per cent in 2004.

The most common reason for failing to meet the housing survey standard was inadequate insulation and draught-proofing.

Poor "thermal comfort" was found in 60 per cent of all private housing falling below the survey's minimum standard, while 11 per cent was found to be in poor repair.

Privately rented housing continues to lag behind social housing and owner-occupied homes, however.

The English House Condition Survey examined 17,000 homes between April 2004 and March 2006. Across all sectors, 73 per cent met the decent homes standard.

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