The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) has called on ministers to re-assess and modify its proposed new Decent Homes Standard (DHS), warning that in its current form it would be too prescriptive and costly.

The membership body, in a representation ahead of the Autumn Budget on 26 November, said the DHS in its proposed form “introduces costly new elements” which it believes are “moving the standard away from a rounded approach to decency to a piecemeal approach which would lead to financial inefficiencies.”

NHC warned the standard as proposed will lead to a rise in disrepair claims, meaning landlords will be forced to divert spend away from improving homes.