Matt Jarratt, Operations Lead at Procure Plus, discusses why cost certainty matters in the Decent Homes debate.
The G15 has raised concerns about proposals to expand the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) to cover communal areas and shared outdoor spaces. Their argument is rooted in cost, resources, and the practical challenge of clarifying responsibilities. These are valid concerns; the sector is already facing pressures on budgets and delivery.
But behind the debate lies a bigger issue: cost certainty. Knowing not just how much works will cost today, but being able to plan with confidence for tomorrow. That’s where things start to break down.
In theory, as market volatility eases, the wide spread of delivery costs for Decent Homes-type works should narrow. That should make budgeting easier and ensure more homes are improved each year. In practice, that isn’t happening. Prices remain inconsistent, leaving landlords struggling to know what good value looks like.
Market intelligence
The National Housing Federation has suggested that landlords themselves need to bring more certainty into the process. But the reality is that many don’t have access to the data or oversight required to judge whether a price is competitive or not.
That’s why organisations like Procure Plus play such a crucial role. Supporting landlords from inception to completion and drawing on delivery data from across an ever-expanding geography, we can see what’s happening across the market.
Without this kind of market intelligence, the danger is that landlords face spiralling costs, uncertainty in delivery, and fewer homes improved each year.
With market intelligence, social landlords can approach a shifting policy landscape, such as changes to the DHS, with far greater confidence that their budgets are realistic, their supply chains are resilient, and value for money is being achieved.
Making a difference
Cost certainty isn’t just about numbers; it’s about being able to plan, deliver, and make a real difference. As a not-for-profit, Procure Plus works alongside landlords to provide practical insight and shared intelligence, helping them navigate volatile costs while ensuring investments deliver real impact.
At the same time, we embed social value into every project, creating training and employment opportunities for those furthest from the labour market.
In a shifting policy landscape, this combination of insight and impact ensures that every pound spent goes further, giving landlords confidence that their investment delivers both value for money and lasting benefits for the communities they serve.
