Houses should be warm, weather proof, and have reasonable modern facilities
Criterion :
A dwelling is considered not to meet this criterion if it lacks three or more of the
following facilities:
a Kitchen which is 20 years old or less;
a Kitchen with adequate space and layout;
a bathroom which is 30 years old or less;
an appropriately located bathroom and WC;
adequate external noise insulation; and
adequate size and layout of common entrance areas for blocks of flats
There seems to be a hint or a suggestion when viewing local press reports that some housing providers are extending the Decent Homes Standards and adding additional criterion, then using these DIY bolt-ons, as (a) reason(s) to fail their own housing as a decent home. This, in turn, often leads to demolition, or change of use. A sceptic may say that it is a manipulation !
A home has only to pass three from the six criterion, above; In truth not many Sheltered Homes built over the past 50 years would fail four, from the list of six, to be declared 'non-decent' vide Government Decent Homes Standard moreover, the housing provider has until the year 2010 to complete the upgrade.
For further reading please log onto the website below
www.comunities.gov.uk
