WHQS 2023 Compliance Policy
The Welsh Government has introduced the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023. It aims to ensure that all social housing in Wales is of good quality, is affordable and meets the needs of tenants.
Welsh Housing Standard 2023 Compliance Policy
For a tenant’s home to meet the Standard, it must:
- Be in a good condition
- Be safe and secure
- Be energy efficient
- Contain up to date kitchens and bathrooms
- Be comfortable
- Ideally have a garden or a nice outdoor space
What WHQS is all about
This video introduces the key aims of the WHQS 2023: upgrading social housing in Wales to ensure it is high quality, safe, energy-efficient, modern, comfortable, and ideally includes pleasant outdoor space. The video emphasises tenant wellbeing and collaborative design with tenant feedback to shape the programme.
Keeping you safe
This video focuses on the safety and security aspects of WHQS highlighting how the new standards ensure social housing protects tenants through structural, environmental, and health safeguards. It underscores the commitment to providing homes that not only look good but are also secure and hazard‑free.
What WHQS means for your home
This video delves into day‑to‑day improvements: modern kitchens and bathrooms, better utility spaces, and enhanced comfort. It illustrates how the WHQS 2023 will visibly impact tenants’ living environments, upgrading homes to improve wellbeing.
Improvements to outdoor spaces
This video spotlights the importance of gardens and outdoor areas under the new standard. It promotes the idea that attractive, usable external spaces contribute significantly to quality of life, mental health, and sense of community.
View The Policy
The Standards outline what social landlords are expected to comply with. That homes should be of high quality, be healthy to live in and meet community, family and individual needs of tenants. Social landlords are encouraged to engage with their tenants and use feedback from their lived experiences to improve how they maintain, upgrade, and decarbonise homes.
This policy explains how we will develop and implement WHQS 2023, in line with our business position and Corporate Strategy. It will be regularly reviewed to ensure continuous improvement during the timeline of the WHQS.
This policy is available to our customers, partners and regulator.