Decent Homes & Merton Standards

Decent Homes is a Government led initiative, introduced in 2000. All housing owned by RPs within England must be brought up to this standard by 31 December 2010.

Our commitment to you

We are committed to delivering Decent Homes by this deadline and then maintaining that Standard. This will be done by programming re-investment works in accordance with the forecasts of our stock condition survey, as part of a wider programme.

Decent Homes will therefore be delivered as a by-product of effective works planning, founded from an ethos of pre-planned and programmed ‘just in time renewals’ as promoted by the ODPM (now DCLG) in their Decent Homes and stock condition survey guidance.

We recognise that Decent Homes is a ‘minimum standard’ and acknowledges the House of Commons Select Committee recommendation (2004) that social landlords should aspire and plan for ‘decency plus’. In other words a better standard that also takes account of the views and aspirations of residents, as defined by the Merton Standard.

You can get more information on the standard from www.communities.gov.uk

About the Merton Standard

The Merton Standard sets out the way in which we carry out repairs and improvements to your home. The Merton Standard exceeds the Decent Homes Standard, aiming to enhance the Life Chances of all our residents.

Download the Merton Standard brochure (1.2 MB)