Housing Conditions in England Inquiry: An Overview

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In recent years, poor housing conditions have moved sharply into the national spotlight and with good reason.

From rising disrepair claims and the mould-related death of Awaab Ishak, to stark warnings from the Housing Ombudsman, the message is clear: England’s housing stock is under strain and so are the people living in it.

In response, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (HCLGC) launched a formal inquiry into housing conditions in England.

Its goal? To understand the scale of the problem and what can be done to fix it both in the social and private rented sectors.

So, why is the inquiry happening now, what is it about, who is involved and what might it mean for landlords, tenants and housing professionals?

Why now?

The inquiry comes against a backdrop of growing concern over:

• Widespread damp, mould, and structural issues in rented homes
• Delays and inconsistencies in landlord repairs and enforcement
• Weaknesses in existing legislation and regulation
• The health and wellbeing impacts of substandard housing

The inquiry also reflects wider policy changes, including the introduction of Awaab’s Law, the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and the Renter's Rights Act.

What is the inquiry looking at?

The Committee is examining:

• The scale and nature of poor housing conditions
• The effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks
• The role of local authorities and enforcement bodies
• The impact of housing conditions on health, wellbeing and equality
• What further legislative or policy change is needed

Oral and written evidence has been submitted by a wide range of organisations, including CIH, CIEH, Shelter and Citizens Advice, as well as individual landlords and tenants.

What have stakeholders said?

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) called for:

• Greater investment in repairs and maintenance
• A national strategy for improving stock condition
• More proactive regulation and tenant involvement

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) raised serious concerns about:

• Inconsistent enforcement by local authorities
• The lack of data on housing conditions
• The need to strengthen the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

Both organisations agree that poor housing is now a public health emergency, not just a housing one — and that legislative tools alone won’t fix it.

What happens next?

The Committee is expected to publish its findings and recommendations later this year, which could lead to:

• Changes in how housing standards are regulated and enforced
• Greater powers or funding for local authorities
• Higher expectations for landlords in both sectors

We will provide further insights into the Inquiry in due course.

How can DISREPAIR AWARE help?

Many rented homes are not inspected regularly or maintained properly - we want to help improve housing conditions for everyone.

We help tenants and leaseholders understand their rights and get support and help registered providers, private landlords and estate agents to understand their obligations and get compliant.