Unacceptable homes in Bromley, Bexley, Lewisham, Greenwich

The Government’s English Housing Survey has revealed 3.6 million homes across the country were deemed “non-decent” because they could either pose a risk to residents’ health or life, are in a bad state of repair, are cold or lack modern facilities.

The annual survey asks people at a sample of addresses about the state and quality of their housing.

Overall, across England the proportion of private rented homes found to be in bad condition was twice as high as social housing homes, with 23 per cent compared with 11 per cent.

Across the country, nine per cent of all 23.9 million homes had category one hazards observed.

The fuel poverty charity National Energy Action said lives are “being ruined by cold, damp housing”.

Whilst south east London’s overall figures are slightly better than the national average – the stats still suggest that serious improvement is needed to the quality of housing, particularly in the privately rented sector.

Lewisham has the highest amount of “non-decent homes” overall in south east London, with more than one in ten homes being deemed of an unacceptable quality.

However, the average per cent of homes across the country which fail to meet the Government's official Decent Homes Standards is at 15 per cent – higher than any figure from south east London.

Here is a breakdown of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities figures across Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich.

Bromley:

Nine per cent of all 139,644 occupied homes in Bromley failed to meet the Government’s official Decent Homes Standard.

In Bromley, 20 per cent of private rented homes were deemed non-decent and 11 per cent of all social homes.

Five per cent of homes have category one hazards observed, which are the most serious hazards.

Bexley:

Nine per cent of all 98,003 occupied homes in Bexley failed to meet the Government’s official Decent Homes Standard.

In Bexley, 18 per cent of private rented homes were deemed non-decent and ten per cent of all social homes.

Four per cent of homes have category one hazards observed, which are the most serious hazards.

Greenwich:

10 per cent of all 117,283 occupied homes in Greenwich failed to meet the Government’s official Decent Homes Standard. The rate was lower than the average of 15% across the country.

In Greenwich, 17 per cent of private rented homes were deemed non-decent and ten per cent of all social homes.

Five per cent of homes have category one hazards observed, which are the most serious hazards.

Lewisham:

13 per cent of all 125,796 occupied homes in Lewisham failed to meet the Government’s official Decent Homes Standard.

In Lewisham, 22 per cent of private rented homes were deemed non-decent and 13 per cent of all social homes.

Six per cent of homes have category one hazards observed, which are the most serious hazards.

Matt Copeland, head of policy at NEA, said current incentives and regulation are not sufficient to get landlords to improve their properties.

He added the Government had promised to consult on increasing the minimum energy efficiency standard of private rented properties, but there has been no further development on this.

He said: “In general, action on energy efficiency has been poor for the last decade. It’s a key pillar for fighting fuel poverty and reaching our binding net zero target.

“Behind the statistics and targets are real lives being ruined by cold, damp housing.”