Minimum Requirements For Our Housing
For Housing Associations to access the Social Housing Grant from the Welsh Assembly, their properties must meet the requirements listed below. Please bear in mind that whilst these are the most current versions of the requirements, the Welsh Assembly will from time to time amend and revise these.
We will therefore make sure that we have the most up to date information available in this section:
Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) July 2008
The Associations Detailed Specifications September 2011
To be read in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government Standard Documentation, the latest Building Regulations Approved Documents and contract / tender drawings.
Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) July 2008
By 2012 all Housing Association properties will have to meet these standards and consequently any properties we acquire need to meet these standards. This document contains details of the WHQS guidance (July 2008).
Design Quality Requirements (DQR) July 2005
Design Quality Requirements for new build properties and existing dwellings - this is the minimum standard set by the Assembly that Housing Association properties must meet. This document contains the requirements for both new build and existing dwellings.
Lifetime Homes
The Design Quality Requirements state that one of the many standards that Association properties must meet is the Lifetime Homes standard, which aims to make properties fit to meet the changing needs of tenants through their lives. More information can be found on the Lifetime Homes website:
Secured By Design
All Housing Association properties must meet the Secured By Design criteria and information on this initiative can be found on the Secured By Design website:
The Code For Sustainable Homes
In 2008 the Welsh Assembly raised the standard for the development of all new Housing Association homes, stating that all new homes must meet at least Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. In future years this standard is likely to be raised to Code Level 4 or 5, so developments planned for future years may need to think about meeting the higher levels of the Code. More information about the Code can be found on the Code For Sustainable Homes website:
