Housing & Maintenance Standards

In Scotland, the tolerable standard refers to the minimum standard of condition a house must meet to be considered fit for human habitation. If a property fails to meet this standard it is legally guarded as not fit to live in. The tolerable standard is defined in housing legislation, primarily under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and it has been updated through later acts.

A home fails the tolerable standard if it lacks any of the following:

• A satisfactory supply of drinking water
• A toilet available for the exclusive use of the occupants and suitablylocated within the house
• An effective system for draining foul and surface water
• A fixed bath or shower and wash hand basin with hot and cold water
• A supply of electricity with electrical installations that are safe to use
• A proper drainage and disposal system for water
• Adequate ventilation and natural and artificial lighting
• Thermal installation and a fixed heating system
• Structurally stable, wind and watertight structure
• Free from rising or penetrating them
• Suitable cooking facilities
• Safe access and escape routes in case of fire.

For more info visit the Scottish Government Website

The SHQS is a minimum standard that all social housing must meet and goes beyond the basic tolerable standard, aiming to ensure that homes are safe warm and in a good state of repair. This standard was introduced by the Scottish Government and was originally set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. It is used as a benchmark for housing quality and has since been supplemented by the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (see below).

For a home to meet the SHQS it must

Be above the tolerable standard

• this includes having basic facilities like drinking water, sanitation, and serious dampness etc. (see previous section)

Be free from serious repair

• The structure roof, walls, windows, plumbing, and electrical installations must be in good condition

Be energy efficient

• Homes should have efficient heating systems and insulation to reduce energy use and poverty
• Have modern facilities and services
• Kitchens should be less than 20 years old, bathrooms less than 30 years old and homes should have adequate storage space
• Be healthy safe and secure
• Things like safety systems, smoke alarms, secure entry systems, and have no serious condensation or damp problems

All social landlords must report to the Scottish Housing Regulator on compliance with the SHQS which is done through the Annual Return on the Charter. All our homes meet the standard though there are some exceptions allowed, for example, if a tenant refuses upgrades.

SHQS has been under review, and a new Scottish Housing Standard is being developed with a greater focus on:

• decarbonisation
• energy efficiency
• adaptability for ageing or disabled tenants

visit Scottish Government Website

EESSH aims to make social housing in Scotland warmer, greener, cheaper to run and better for the environment.  EESSH1 was originally introduced by the Scottish Government in 2014 to improve the quality and energy efficiency of homes and reduce carbon emissions. A new version, EESSH2, was launched by the Scottish Government in 2020 to improve on Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band ratings, eliminate direct emissions from heating and align with Net Zero 2045 targets.

The main aims of EESSH are to:

Improve Energy Efficiency

• Ensure homes are well insulated, efficiently heated, and retain heat effectively
• Bring social housing up to at least EPC band C or B depending on the property and fuel type

Reduce Fuel Poverty

• Makes homes cheaper to heat, especially for low income households. It helps tenants keep their homes warm and dry without excessive energy costs, and tackles inequality by ensuring vulnerable groups (e.g. elderly or disabled)  live in energy efficient homes
• (Fuel poverty is when a household spends more than 10% of income on heating but still can’t maintain an adequate temperature)

Support Climate Goals & Reduce Carbon Emissions

• The standard requires social housing to meet minimum energy levels, which reduces the amount of energy used to heat homes.  Less energy use means less fossil fuel consumption, especially from gas boilers, which are a major source of CO2 in housing.  The standard encourages low-carbon heating technologies, like air source heat pumps, district heating systems and Solar PV and battery storage.

Raise the Quality of Housing Stock

• Overall, homes will be warmer with consistent indoor temperatures, less cold spots and better comfort for tenants. The standard ensures improved insulation, modern heating systems and higher  EPC ratings. This reduces fuel costs and problems like damp, mould and condensation and this supports better physical and mental health for tenants, especially vulnerable groups.  
• The standards drive landlords to invest in older housing stock to meet modern standards. It can prolong the lifespan of buildings by preventing moisture build-up and structural issues and reduce wear and tear on heating systems and building fabric.

Set a Consistent and Measurable Standard

• It provides a clear benchmark like Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) score or Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band for landlords to work towards
• Enables the Scottish Housing regulator to monitor compliance through the Annual return on the Charter

for more info visit Scottish Government Website